Sindh Issues 15-Day Fire Safety Deadline After Audits Flag 580 Dangerous Buildings
Published on 08/28/2026 at 12:37 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Businesses and public institutions across Sindh province have been given just 15 days to bring their premises up to fire safety standards, after audits of more than 3,300 buildings exposed widespread failings. The directive, issued by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, is a direct response to inspections that identified over 580 structures as dangerous — a figure that should put UK employers with overseas operations on notice about the region's tightening enforcement regime.
Audits Reveal Widespread Safety Failings
The provincial audits covered 3,354 buildings across six major urban centres, with the largest share in Hyderabad, where 1,287 properties were inspected. Karachi followed with 798, while Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas accounted for the remainder.
More than 580 buildings were classified as dangerous, and a full report on these high-risk sites is expected within the same 15-day window. Enforcement will prioritise high-occupancy and critical infrastructure — hospitals, schools, shopping malls, industrial sites, prisons and hostels — according to the Chief Secretary.
Fire safety enforcement is tightening across the region, and UK employers with overseas operations should take note — the same scrutiny applies to their domestic premises. A free Fire Safety Toolkit provides everything needed to meet current UK requirements, including risk assessments, evacuation plans and fire extinguisher training. Download the free Fire Safety Toolkit
Hospitals Face Unannounced Checks
Healthcare facilities are now subject to unannounced inspections by the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), which has mandated strict adherence to fire and emergency protocols across all establishments.
Inspectors will review fire safety plans, audit records, emergency drill logs and staff training documentation. Facilities are also required to carry out self-audits and immediate drills to correct existing deficiencies.
A recent inspection at Hyderabad Civil Hospital revealed critical failures, including blocked emergency exits, expired or empty fire extinguishers, and a lack of proper emergency signage or fire buckets. The SHCC has warned that facilities failing to address these hazards will face sanctions.
Private Schools Given Ten New Requirements
The school education authority has imposed ten specific fire safety requirements on private schools, following a tragedy at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in which 14 newborns died.
The new regulations require schools to install fire alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor. Emergency exits must remain unobstructed, and electrical safety inspections must be carried out regularly. Evacuation plans must be clearly posted, with designated outdoor assembly points.
Schools must also conduct at least two fire drills per year and provide safety training for all staff. Specific protocols are required for assisting students with disabilities during emergencies, and re-entering buildings after evacuation is prohibited without official clearance.
Fire inspections are uncovering serious gaps in emergency preparedness — from blocked exits to missing extinguishers. UK employers can avoid these same pitfalls with a free toolkit that includes fire risk assessment templates, evacuation planning documents and staff training materials, trusted by over 37,000 British companies. Get the free Fire Safety Toolkit
Long-Standing Gaps in Enforcement
The enforcement drive addresses persistent concerns about the application of the Building Code Fire Safety Provisions of 2016. Although regulations exist — including Sindh Building Control Authority rules updated in February 2026 that require dedicated fire-fighting water tanks — industry observers have consistently noted a lack of implementation.
Recent incidents have underscored the urgency. A major fire at Gul Plaza in January 2026 highlighted the need for regular audits and stricter oversight of building safety systems across the province.
