ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched a crackdown on hospitals and health facilities for not complying with fire safety standards.

CDA has challaned 48 hospitals, and healthcare centres for non-compliance with fire and life safety measures.

“Following inspections and notices issued by the CDA, 48 hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities have been challaned for non-compliance with prescribed fire and life safety requirements. The total amount of challans issued is Rs14 million,” said an official of civic agency.

Besides, Pims , Polyclinic and CDA hospital, the other hospitals, which were fined, included KRL Hospital, NESCOM Hospital, NOORI Hospital, MCH Medical Center. The list carries majority of private hospitals as well.

Pindi police also move into action

Rawalpindi police reviewed safety measures, including the installation of firefighting equipment, at all police stations and offices of police officials.

Following the recent tragedy, the Punjab government ordered an immediate review of fire safety systems, firefighting equipment and emergency response facilities at hospitals.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Security Asghar Ali Goraya has directed the SPs of the Rawal, Potohar and Saddar divisions, SDPOs and SHOs of all police stations to ensure the installation of firefighting equipment in their respective offices to cope with any emergency situation.

Additionally, if fire extinguishers or other firefighting equipment have already been placed in their offices and police stations, the SP has instructed them to share photographs of the equipment with the SSP Operations group.

If fire safety equipment or fire extinguishers have not been installed, or are dysfunctional, in police offices, the officials must install the required safety equipment and send a report to the SSP Operations and SP Security.

Strict departmental action would be taken against those responsible for any delay, according to the SP Security guidelines.

Since each police station and other police establishment faces extraordinary fire risks, well-planned fire protection systems are required to protect police personnel, infrastructure, holding cells and crime victims.

Weapons and ammunition storage areas, surveillance rooms, radio equipment, record rooms and police lockups are high-security areas with flammable risks, requiring urgent fire safety measures at all police stations and other establishments and a continuous fire protection system.

When SP Security Asghar Ali Goraya was contacted and asked about details of fire safety equipment installed in police stations and offices, he said he had already sought detailed reports from all the SPs and SDPOs in this regard.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026