ISLAMABAD: The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has decided to keep the weekly bazaars of H-9 and G-6 closed on Friday till “100pc foolproof measures are taken there and fire prevention clearance is granted by the Capital Emergency Services, CDA.”

A notification issued by Director DMA Mohammad Tariq Latif stated: “In view of the foregoing, Director General (Emergency Services) CDA is requested to kindly exhort his subordinate staff to make sure if appropriate prevention measures at both above sites (bazaars) have been arranged or otherwise. DMA, MCI is optimistic for early response in the matter.”

Fires at the H-9 Weekly Bazaar, popularly known as the Sunday Bazaar or Itwar Bazaar, have occurred with alarming frequency over the years, raising recurring concerns over safety standards, electrical wiring and firefighting preparedness.

The last such incident was reported in June when a massive fire erupted in Block C of the bazaar, which mostly houses shoe stalls, and spread rapidly, prompting a large-scale emergency response. This was the fifth incident of fire at the weekly bazaar since 2017.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026