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Following recent tragic fire incidents, the Punjab government has launched an aggressive fire safety inspection drive in Lahore’s major commercial buildings. Acting on directives from the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Director General of LDA, teams have inspected high-rises such as Hafeez Center, Centaurus Tower, Big City, and Origins Center to ensure emergency exits, functional staircases, and firefighting systems are in place. Authorities have warned that non-compliant buildings will face immediate sealing and strict penalties.
The initiative gained urgency after the devastating Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, which highlighted gaps in safety compliance at high-rise structures. In response, the Punjab Chief Minister set a two-week deadline for comprehensive audits of all public and private high-rise buildings across Punjab. The drive aims to prevent future tragedies and enforce mandatory fire safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for plazas, hospitals, and schools.
Under DG Tahir Farooq, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has started sealing non-compliant buildings. More than 90 commercial properties in Gulberg and Johar Town were sealed in a single day. Rescue 1122 is deploying thermal drones and geo-tagged fire hydrants to monitor high-risk areas and reduce emergency response times. Authorities have also mandated proper firefighting equipment installation in commercial centers and factories by January 25, with a province-wide crackdown commencing on January 26.
The LDA has announced stricter rules for issuing completion certificates to new commercial buildings. No certificates will be granted without a valid Civil Defence NOC. Officials emphasized that the zero-tolerance approach will remain until full compliance with fire safety standards is achieved.
“Emergency exits and functional staircases must be available at all times, and failure to comply will result in immediate action,” said an LDA official during the inspections.
This initiative aligns with Punjab’s broader urban safety policies and demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting lives in high-rise commercial areas. Property owners are encouraged to adhere to all safety standards to avoid penalties or property closure.
