Fire Safety in Karachi Buildings: ABAD Chairman Calls 3-Day Deadline Unrealistic

Concerns have been raised over the Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) three-day deadline for installing fire safety systems in buildings across Karachi.

Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi, has stated that it is not practically possible to implement fire safety measures in all buildings within such a short timeframe.

He explained that one of the major hurdles is the unavailability of required fire safety equipment in the market, making immediate compliance extremely difficult.

Hassan Bakhshi shared these views during his appearance on the talk show “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath,” where he discussed the recently released fire safety audit report.

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According to him, many of the buildings identified in the audit report are 30 to 35 years old and were constructed at a time when modern fire safety regulations were not in place.

He added that most buildings constructed by ABAD members over the past 15 to 20 years already include fire safety arrangements, while builders of older structures have been advised to ensure compliance with safety standards.

It is worth noting that SBCA had issued an ultimatum to install fire safety systems in Karachi within three days and has confirmed that a formal letter regarding this directive has been sent to the ABAD chairman.