Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed a comprehensive audit of fire safety systems in both public and private buildings across the province days after Karachi witnessed one of its worst disasters in a fire at Gul Plaza.
During a high-level meeting, she also instructed that roads be completely restored following any excavation for sewerage and drainage projects. CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that pits dug for development work in residential areas must be properly covered and fenced, and manhole levels should be adjusted to prevent accidents.
She further ordered the establishment of control rooms and management cells in all deputy commissioner offices to closely monitor projects under the Punjab Development Plan (PDP). Officials informed her that transparency measures in PDP Phase-I had saved approximately Rs2.8 billion.
The chief minister announced that sewerage, drainage, disposal, and water storage projects would be implemented in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, and Jhang. Additionally, trunk sewerage systems, new disposal stations, and rainwater drainage systems are planned for Jhelum, Hafizabad, and Okara.
Highlighting urban beautification, she called for the creation of green belts and recreational green spaces in every city. CM Maryam Nawaz also directed that a single utility corridor be established under development projects to avoid repeated excavations in neighborhoods.
She emphasized that electricity poles should be installed along road edges, with overhead wires and cables neatly arranged to prevent tangled wiring.
The chief minister ordered the installation of streetlights across tehsils and announced the introduction of uniform, plastic-like manhole covers. She also directed that footpath edges be lined with yellow and black stones instead of painted markings. Plans to develop open-air gyms, walking tracks, and entertainment centers in various areas were also approved.
To enhance transparency and monitoring, she mandated that all PDP projects be geo-tagged.
Meanwhile, Punjab Emergency Services Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique called for the full implementation of the Building Safety Regulations 2022 throughout the province. Chairing a separate meeting, he instructed strict legal action against any violations of these regulations.
An official statement noted that a survey of 2,214 high-rise buildings across Punjab has been completed. The provincial government is also implementing a plan to expand firefighting services to 39 additional tehsils at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion.
Highlighting government achievements, Khawaja Salman Rafique credited the Punjab administration for establishing an air ambulance service and providing emergency support on motorways.
He stressed that enforcing the Building Safety Regulations 2022 is critical to preventing loss of lives, and the government remains committed to its full implementation with the cooperation of the business community.
Provincial Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer said Punjab now has a modern fire and rescue service. Since the notification of the Building Safety Regulations 2022, Rescue 1122 has responded to over 280,000 fire emergencies, averting potential losses worth Rs768 billion.
The province’s rescue service currently operates 281 fire vehicles and employs 2,446 trained fire rescuers. Safety grading of high-rise buildings across Punjab has also been completed.
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief over the recent fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, which claimed at least 26 lives. She prayed for the recovery of the missing and extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, describing their pain as immeasurable.