A petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court seeking strict enforcement of fire safety regulations across the federal capital.
The legal action follows the tragic deaths of 14 newborn babies in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on August 26. Consequently, concerns have intensified regarding fire safety standards in public and private buildings throughout Islamabad.
Petitioner Calls for Citywide Fire Safety Audit
Citizen Malik Naveed Ashiq Awan filed the petition through Advocate Afrasiab Ahmed Rana. The federation, Capital Development Authority, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, Higher Education Commission, and several other bodies have been named as respondents.
According to the petition, the Pims tragedy exposed serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements. It further alleged that the hospital lacked a fire safety no-objection certificate from the relevant authorities.
Moreover, the petitioner claimed that numerous commercial, educational, and medical facilities operate without mandatory fire safety NOCs. Many buildings reportedly lack essential safety measures, including firefighting equipment, emergency exits, and fire alarm systems.
Court Asked to Seal Unsafe Buildings
The petition urged the Islamabad High Court to direct authorities to enforce the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulations, 2010. Additionally, it requested an immediate fire safety audit of all buildings in the federal capital.
The petitioner also sought orders for sealing buildings operating without valid fire safety NOCs. Furthermore, he requested publication of an updated list of non-compliant buildings across Islamabad.
The petition proposed linking registrations of educational, medical, and food-related institutions to valid fire safety certificates. It also called for regular inspections to identify unsafe and illegal structures.
Meanwhile, a separate petition has asked the court to order an FIA investigation into the Pims fire. The application seeks preservation of CCTV footage and official records to protect crucial evidence. It also requests accountability for those found responsible for the deaths of the 14 newborn babies.
