Rawalpindi — All high-rise buildings in Rawalpindi have been issued notices to implement mandatory fire safety measures within the next 30 days, following a high-level review meeting chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Dr Hasaan Tarriq at the deputy commissioner’s office.
The directive comes in line with Punjab government instructions intensified after the recent Karachi fire tragedy, aiming to prevent similar disasters in the garrison city’s growing vertical landscape. Officials from Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Civil Defence, District Emergency Office, and others attended the session to assess progress and enforcement.
Majority of buildings in Islamabad lack fir_e safety certificates, CDA survey reveals. Out of 6,500 buildings inspected, most did not have approved fir_
e safety plans or completion certificates. Authorities have directed owners to submit required documents within 15 days,… pic.twitter.com/95EBbPClae
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Key Highlights
- 163 high-rise buildings in district (including cantonment areas).
- Grades: 2 Grade A, 3 Grade B, 6 Grade C, 152 Grade D.
- Grade A requires auto alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, safety exits.
- Grade B needs exit doors, signs, standpipes, fire dampers.
- Grade C/D must have first-aid boxes, external hydrants.
- RMC issued notices to all city-area buildings; non-compliance triggers action.
- New approvals halted without safety doors and staircases.
- Wasa surveying for separate hydrant water lines; 10 of 100 sites completed.
- Punjab-wide plan targets 1,000+ external hydrants, every 400 feet in key areas.
Enforcement Push After Karachi Tragedy
The meeting reviewed compliance with provincial directives, including Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s emergency push for international-standard external hydrants across Punjab. Wasa officials confirmed work underway on hydrant installations, prioritizing congested markets and commercial zones where fire access remains a challenge.
Dr Hasaan Tarriq stressed that civic bodies have conveyed clear warnings: negligence will invite stern action under Punjab law. Commercial plazas over 50 feet must install external hydrants at their own expense, with legal cases and penalties for defaulters.
What’s Next for Rawalpindi Buildings
Owners now face a tight one-month window to upgrade — from alarms and exits to hydrants and extinguishers — or risk shutdowns and prosecution. This proactive step reflects Punjab’s resolve to protect lives and property, ensuring emergency services can respond swiftly in a city where high-rises continue to reshape the skyline. With enforcement teams on alert, the focus remains on turning directives into real safety for every resident and visitor.
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