Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has directed provincial departments to ensure that public buildings and institutions under their control meet fire safety requirements within 15 days.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Shah following a province-wide audit of 3,354 buildings to assess fire safety arrangements across Sindh.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 798 buildings were audited in Karachi Division, 1,287 in Hyderabad, 420 in Larkana, 129 in Mirpurkhas, 418 in Shaheed Benazirabad and 302 in Sukkur.
Departments and divisional administrations have been instructed to ensure that fire safety systems are not only installed but also remain fully operational and ready for use at all times.
Departments given 15-day deadline
The provincial government has directed administrative departments and divisional commissioners to submit signed compliance certificates within 15 days.
The certificates will confirm that buildings under their control meet the required fire safety standards and that installed equipment is functional.
Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah stressed that fire safety arrangements should not remain limited to paperwork or installation. Authorities must ensure that safety systems are regularly checked and can be used effectively during emergencies.
Hospitals, schools among priority buildings
Officials have been instructed to give priority to buildings and public places used by vulnerable groups.
The list includes hospitals, schools, colleges, hostels, prisons, child protection centres, orphanages, Dar-ul-Amans and bus terminals.
The compliance drive will also cover commercial centres, markets and industrial establishments across the province.
The move comes as authorities face increased scrutiny over fire safety arrangements in public facilities following recent incidents involving fires and concerns about emergency preparedness.
Report sought on dangerous buildings
The Chief Secretary has also directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a report within 15 days regarding more than 580 buildings declared dangerous across Sindh.
The report is expected to provide authorities with updated information about the condition and safety status of these structures.
The directive is part of wider efforts to identify safety risks and prevent avoidable loss of life and property in public and commercial buildings.
Hospitals to face surprise fire inspections
Hospitals across Sindh are also set to undergo unannounced fire safety inspections as the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) moves to address shortcomings identified during previous monitoring visits.
Inspection teams will conduct surprise visits to determine whether fire safety arrangements are actually functional rather than simply documented.
Teams will check fire alarms, extinguishers and other emergency equipment installed at healthcare facilities.
They will also review inspection and maintenance records to determine whether safety equipment is being regularly checked and maintained.
Authorities push for stronger safety compliance
The latest measures reflect the provincial government’s focus on improving fire preparedness across Sindh.
By requiring departments to certify compliance within a fixed deadline and introducing surprise inspections at hospitals, authorities aim to ensure that fire safety systems remain operational when emergencies occur.
The 15-day deadline will now require government departments and relevant authorities to take immediate action to address missing, damaged or non-functional safety equipment.
The province-wide compliance drive is expected to provide authorities with a clearer picture of fire safety conditions in public buildings while encouraging institutions to maintain safety standards on a continuous basis.
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