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

Islamabad's Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ramped up enforcement of fire and life safety regulations after a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) claimed the lives of 14 newborn infants. The CDA has sealed multiple high-rise buildings and partially sealed two hotels in the city's Blue Area, imposing fines of Rs500,000 each on Pims, Polyclinic, and CDA's Capital Hospital for failure to comply with fire safety requirements.

Teams have been inspecting the National Insurance Company Limited building, with further action expected as the CDA intensifies its checks across Islamabad. Two high-rise buildings in Blue Area have been partially sealed, halting further guest intake. An additional high-rise apartment building owned by a politician is set to be sealed once teams complete their inspection.

The CDA has taken a zero-tolerance stance on fire safety violations, emphasizing that no building, institution, or organization can put lives at risk by disregarding essential safety measures. The CDA chairman has directed relevant departments to closely monitor fire safety compliance and ensure timely corrective actions.

Citizens are now seeking legal action against the alleged non-implementation of fire safety laws, with a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court on behalf of various organizations, including the federation, CDA chairman, and local government bodies. The petition claims that Pims lacked a fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC) and that numerous buildings in Islamabad have been operating without mandatory fire safety NOCs.