LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a series of wide-ranging measures to prevent fire incidents across the province, directing strict enforcement of safety regulations in commercial and multi-storey buildings.

Presiding over a meeting of commissioners and deputy commissioners via video link here on Tuesday, the CM approved the installation of 1,157 water hydrants across nine divisions and the establishment of a new ‘Fire Inspectorate Unit’ in Rescue 1122.

She also approved the use of modern high-expansion foam generators to control fires and ordered the installation of smoke detectors and CCTV cameras in large buildings. First-aid facilities and oxygen cylinders were declared mandatory in major commercial structures.

Specialised training programmes were approved for markets dealing in chemicals, cardboard, fabric and gas cylinders to improve preparedness against fire emergencies.

The chief minister ordered that every multi-storey building must be equipped with water hydrants, while externally ventilated staircases were made mandatory to ensure safe emergency evacuation.

Rescue 1122 to have new ‘fire inspectorate unit’

Expressing grief over the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab stood in solidarity with the Sindh government, the people of Karachi and the bereaved families, and was ready to extend all possible assistance.

Referring to a recent fire incident in Lahore, the chief minister said around 300 people were present in the hotel building at the time. “We are thankful that a major tragedy was averted due to timely SOPs and response,” she said.

The chief minister expressed concern over the misuse of emergency exits in commercial buildings and directed strict action against violations.

She instructed development authorities to ensure the enforcement of safety regulations during building construction and ordered that fire safety equipment must not only be installed but also remain functional.

The CM directed regular checks of expiry dates of firefighting equipment and fire alarms, and warned that dangling and unsafe electrical wiring posed serious fire and rain-related hazards.

The chief minister ordered province-wide inspection of gas cylinders and directed the sealing of companies manufacturing or selling substandard cylinders. Automatic sprinkler systems were made mandatory in all buildings.

She further ordered the removal of encroachments blocking entry and exit points in congested markets, including Lahore’s Shah Alam Market, and directed that monthly mock fire drills be conducted in all districts. Compliance with fire safety drills was included in the key performance indicators of commissioners and deputy commissioners.

She also directed that boilers and flammable materials should not be stored in basements of multi-storey buildings.

The chief minister directed that commercial buildings be given one month to install fire hydrants, warning that strict action would follow non-compliance.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2026