Karachi – October 9, 2025—The fire safety systems in Karachi is facing a severe crisis. Eighty percent of buildings lack basic fire protection systems, and 90 percent lack emergency exits, putting millions of residents at constant risk. Experts raised an alarm at the Third National Fire Safety Conference organized by the Fire Protection Association of Pakistan.
Speakers warned that a major tragedy could strike at any time due to widespread negligence, corruption, and non-enforcement of safety regulations.
KMC to take action against municipal law violators!
On complaints about littering, lack of fire safety, and other violations, Mayor @murtazawahab1 directed the enforcement department to act. Notices were issued to several restaurants in Gulberg Town. pic.twitter.com/0zp8RvNim3— Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (@KmcPakistan) October 8, 2025
ABAD Chairman Hassan Bakshi emphasized that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) should not be issued to buildings that fail to meet fire safety codes, calling such approvals “a direct threat to human life.”
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Rescue 1122 CEO Dr. Abid Jalal revealed that over 1,700 fire incidents have occurred in Karachi since November 2024, mostly due to short circuits and faulty wiring. Statewide, 2,700+ fire incidents, 1,041 traffic accidents, and over 1 million medical emergencies were reported, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
FIRE ALERT | 08102025 | #SINDH
In Liaquatabad, Karachi, a fire has broken out at a plastic factory near Sindhi Hotel. Rescue teams are on-site, and firefighting operations are ongoing. Authorities are monitoring the situation and ensuring the safety of nearby residents. It is…— KRATOS Security Consultants (@KratosSecurity) October 8, 2025
Fire Protection Association President Kanwar Waseem added that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has already marked 500 buildings as unsafe and warned that casualties will continue to rise without proactive fire prevention measures.
Karachi Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun said the city has only 28 fire stations, whereas at least 200 are needed. He cited poor road conditions, traffic congestion, and institutional miscoordination as significant response barriers.
Sindh Red Crescent Chairman Rehan Hashmi called for urgent empowerment of local governments, warning that Karachi’s vulnerable infrastructure can no longer be ignored.
