High-rises sealed, three capital hospitals fined over fire safety violations

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ISLAMABAD: Following the recent tragic incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where 14 newborn babies died in a fire, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has intensified enforcement of fire and life safety regulations across Islamabad, sealing several high-rise buildings and partially sealing two hotels in Blue Area while imposing fines on three hospitals. The CDA imposed a fine of Rs500,000 each on Pims, Polyclinic and its own Capital Hospital for “non-compliance with Fire and Life Safety Requirements”. As part of the enforcement operation in Blue Area, the CDA sealed Shaheed-i-Millat Building, State Life Building, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Building and Beverly Centre. Teams were also inspecting the National Insurance Company Limited building until the filing of this report. Action follows Pims fire that killed 14 newborns as civic agency intensifies inspections, enforcement Two hotels in Blue Area were partially sealed, with further intake of guests stopped. “Yes, today we have sealed several high-rise buildings in Blue Area, besides partially sealing two hotels. Fines of Rs500,000 each were also imposed on Pims, Polyclinic and CDA’s own hospital,” a CDA official said. An official pastes a ‘sealed’ notice on the State Life Building in Islamabad on Sunday. — White Star The official added that teams had moved towards F-11 to seal an apartment building owned by a politician. “We have reached F-11 and after a while, high-rise apartment buildings owned by a politician will be sealed for non-compliance with rules, despite issuance of several notices,” he said. In a press release, the CDA said it had intensified enforcement of fire and life safety standards across Islamabad, making it clear that the protection of human lives would remain its “topmost priority”. The civic agency said it had sealed Shaheed-i-Millat Secretariat, State Life Building and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Building in Blue Area following non-compliance with fire safety observations issued earlier by the CDA’s Fire & Emergency Services Directorate. “Chairman CDA Sohail Ashraf has directed the concerned formations of CDA to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards serious fire safety violations and ensure strict compliance with safety standards,” the press release said. It added that the chairman had emphasised that no building, institution or organisation could be permitted to compromise people’s lives and safety by ignoring essential fire prevention and emergency response requirements. According to the CDA, its Fire & Emergency Services Directorate had been conducting inspections of buildings to identify deficiencies relating to fire prevention, emergency exits, firefighting arrangements, evacuation preparedness and other essential life safety measures. The Building Control Section of the CDA had been advised to rectify identified deficiencies within the prescribed timeframe, the press release said. The CDA chairman also directed relevant departments to maintain close monitoring of fire safety compliance and ensure that safety observations were followed by effective corrective measures. The chairman said fire safety was a collective responsibility, adding that timely installation and maintenance of firefighting equipment, clear emergency exits, proper evacuation arrangements and compliance with safety protocols could save lives during an emergency. “Protection of human lives is the first and foremost responsibility. No compromise will be made on fire and life safety,” the CDA statement said. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court was approached against the alleged non-implementation of fire safety laws. A citizen, Malik Naveed Ashiq Awan, through his counsel Advocate Afrasiab Ahmed Rana, filed a petition before the IHC, making the federation, CDA chairman, chief commissioner, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Private Educational Regulatory Authority (Pera), Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Islamabad Food Authority, among others, respondents. The petitioner contended that 14 newborn babies were burnt alive in a fire at Pims on August 26, raising serious questions about fire safety arrangements at one of the capital’s largest public hospitals. The petition stated that Pims itself allegedly did not have a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC) from the relevant fire department. It further alleged that several commercial, educational and medical buildings across Islamabad were operating without mandatory fire safety NOCs. Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2026

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