LAHORE: The Punjab government has given two weeks to stakeholders to implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in plazas, schools and hospitals in the wake of Gul Plaza inferno in Karachi.

“A building grading system has now been introduced across the province, under which safe buildings will be categorised as A-grade, while others will be graded according to their condition. The firefighting sector is being upgraded with modern technology, drones and state-of-the-art equipment,” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari told a presser here on Thursday.

She said that Rescue 1122 will provide Wasa with a geotagged list of water hydrants while all stakeholders are being taken on board to ensure SOPs implementation in plazas, schools and hospitals.

“Directives have been issued to ensure complete SOPs in compliance within two weeks. A separate monitoring cell is being established with special powers granted to the Pera Force to assist in oversight,” she said and added that buildings had been made legally bound to clearly display entry and exit points. She said that decisions taken in Punjab were implemented in practice, with zero tolerance for negligence.

The minister said that modern technologically equipped ambulances are being provided to Rescue 1122, while 240 patients had already been airlifted via air ambulance, saving valuable lives. She said that Rescue 1122 had so far saved the public from financial losses exceeding Rs 750 billion. Responding to a question, Azma Bokhari said political point-scoring over the Karachi Gul Plaza tragedy was inappropriate.

“Accidents do not come with prior warning but governments are responsible for timely action.”

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has approved a plan to install 1,142 fire hydrants at all major commercial markets, plazas and business centres across the province on an emergent basis in a bid to strengthen public safety.

All points/locations where the fire hydrants are set to be installed and made functional by March 1 have been selected and geotagged for quick access.

The plan was announced by the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department that stated that the initiative is designed to improve rapid response to fire incidents and significantly reduce loss of life and property.

“The installation of the fire hydrants will be the responsibility of the Rescue 1122,” Housing Department Secretary retired Capt Noorul Amin Mengal told Dawn on Thursday.

“The objective behind this emergent plan is to avert Karachi Gul Plaza fire tragedy-like tragedies in the province,” he said.

The fire hydrants will be installed at critical locations including major markets, commercial centres, and high-density business districts where fire incidents pose heightened risks.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2026