LAHORE: In response to the tragic fire that claimed 26 lives at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed a province-wide audit of fire safety systems in both public and private buildings. The audit is part of a broader initiative to ensure public safety and prevent similar disasters.
The Chief Minister expressed her grief over the incident and extended condolences to the victims’ families. She urged the immediate implementation of safety measures, stating that fire safety systems in all buildings must be regularly inspected and upgraded where necessary.
As part of her ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, CM Maryam Nawaz also announced a series of urban development initiatives. These include fully reconstructing roads after excavation for sewerage and drainage projects and ensuring that pits dug during development work are properly covered and fenced to avoid accidents.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the importance of transparency in ongoing development projects. Under the Punjab Development Plan (PDP), she highlighted that Phase-I projects had saved the government Rs 2.8 billion through effective transparency measures.
CM Nawaz also outlined plans for major sewerage, drainage, and water storage projects across various districts, including Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Gujrat, as well as for developing green spaces and utility corridors in urban areas.
Punjab Emergency Services Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique also called for the complete enforcement of the Building Safety Regulations 2022, following a survey of 2,214 high-rise buildings in the province. He revealed plans to extend firefighting services to 39 additional tehsils, with an investment of Rs 2 billion. Rescue 1122 has already responded to over 280,000 fire emergencies, saving an estimated Rs 768 billion in potential damages.
These measures reflect the Punjab government’s commitment to improving public safety and urban infrastructure across the province.
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