RAWALPINDI: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has installed five fire hydrants in commercial and congested areas of the garrison city where water bowzers find it difficult to reach.

A total of 100 fire hydrants are planned to be installed across the city.

“As the Punjab government directed the installation of fire hydrants in commercial and congested areas where water bowzers face difficulty in access, we have started the work,” said Wasa Managing Director Saleem Ashraf while talking to Dawn.

He said Rescue 1122 had recommended 100 sites in the garrison city and fire hydrants had so far been installed at Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market, Murree Road near Liaquat Bagh and Khayaban-e-Sir Syed. He added that a citywide survey had been launched and that hydrants would be installed at locations where water sources were available.

The Wasa managing director said the provincial government had given one month to complete the work. He added that fire hydrants would be installed in and around all major commercial markets of the garrison city, while narrow streets would also be covered wherever water availability allowed.

He further said a new water supply scheme was being installed to enhance water supply from Rawal Dam from 23 million gallons daily (MGD) to 28 MGD, which would help ensure water availability for the hydrants.

When contacted, District Emergency Officer Sibghatullah said that 100 sites had been identified by the emergency department and the list had been sent to Wasa for installation of fire hydrants.

He said the identified areas included Raja Bazaar, City Saddar Road, College Road, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Mangtal, Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad, Commercial Market, Chur Chowk, Naseerabad, Qasimabad Bazaar, Westridge, Jhanda Chichi, Lal Kurti, Dhoke Chaudhrian, Trunk Bazaar, Soan Camp, Chakri Road, Gujar Khan, Mandra, Pattak Bazaar, Nawababad Bazaar, Main Bazaar, Mughal Bazaar, Neelam Bazaar, Chowk Pindori, Shah Bagh, Ameen Plaza, Channi Bazaar, Kahuta and other areas.

Regarding emergency staircases in commercial buildings, he said the provincial government had extended the deadline by 30 days. He added that notices had been issued to more than 160 high-rise buildings in the district to install external emergency staircases and fire extinguishers.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Amir Khattak, while chairing a meeting on fire safety measures, said that in view of special directives from the Punjab government, the availability of fire safety equipment must be ensured in multi-storey buildings, high-rise structures and commercial markets.

He said the protection of public life and property was the foremost responsibility of the administration, and therefore, despite repeated warnings, the operations of buildings lacking complete safety measures should be suspended.

He directed all deputy commissioners to complete surveys of government and private buildings in their respective districts and submit building safety certificates. He further said that fire hydrants, alarm systems and emergency exits must be installed in all high-rise buildings, while Iesco should immediately remove hanging electricity wires.

All commercial buildings and plazas must have external emergency staircases, he said, adding that plazas and large buildings should also have a safety manager and an emergency response team. He stressed the installation of CCTV cameras and smoke detection systems, and said first-aid boxes and oxygen cylinders must be available.

He said there was a complete ban on storing hazardous materials in basements, as well as on installing gas cylinders, boilers or kitchens there. Boilers should be inspected regularly, and no compromise should be made on their quality. He emphasised that no building would be issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for construction without implementing fire safety measures.

The meeting, held at the Commissioner Office Rawalpindi to review building safety and emergency response arrangements, was attended by Chief Officer Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation Imran Ali and other concerned officials, while deputy commissioners of Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum participated via video link.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026