APROPOS of your editorial ‘A symbolic gesture’ (Sept 15), I would like to add to your useful comments that it is unfortunate that we do not learn lessons from past experiences. Many incidents of fire breaking out took place and inquiries, if held, bore no fruit.

Besides, the criminal negligence in the Baldia garment factory, fire also broke out in chemical/paint factories in the past. No one suggested remedial measures to avert occurrence of fire in the future.

In my opinion, all factories need to be certified on account of safety by an authorised body like the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO). If this practice is implemented, periodical checks will force factory owners to either adopt safety measures or face a ban on their business.

I appeal to the federal and provincial departments to get hold of all their records and their periodical inspection reports. Defaulters, if found in any corner of Pakistan, must be given an exemplary punishment so that these incidents do not be repeat in the future.

Availability of elevators in sufficient numbers must also be ensured in future in facilitating access of fire- fighters to multi- storyed buildings of factories in order to evacuate persons trapped.

RIAZ AKBAR Wah Cantt