Most Commercial Buildings in Punjab Rated Low on Fire Safety

A province-wide inspection has exposed dangerously poor fire safety standards in Punjab’s commercial buildings, officials said Wednesday, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi that killed more than 50 people.

The Punjab Emergency and Rescue Department surveyed 2,214 plazas, markets, and shopping malls across the province. Inspectors rated 1,722 buildings in the lowest ‘D’ safety category, highlighting widespread lack of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and clearly marked emergency exits.

Lahore topped the list of high-risk areas, with 682 buildings placed in the D category and 13 structures deemed completely unsafe for occupation. Authorities warned that these shortcomings could cause severe loss of life and property in a major fire.

Only 65 buildings across Punjab met A-grade safety standards. Another 129 earned B-grade ratings, while 284 were classified as C-grade.

Officials emphasized the need for urgent action to upgrade fire safety measures in commercial spaces to prevent disasters like the Gul Plaza incident. Rescue teams continue identifying victims, and DNA tests are underway for 86 people still unaccounted for.