Punjab's 2026 fire-safety drive: the audit results and what owners must do
In January 2026, following the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, Punjab's Emergency and Rescue Department inspected 2,214 buildings across the province. The results, reported by The Express Tribune, were stark.
Punjab building fire-safety audit grades, Jan 2026
Only 65 buildings received an A grade. Many lacked basic protection such as fire alarms, sprinklers and marked emergency exits, and 13 buildings in Lahore were declared completely unsafe for occupation.
What the province has ordered
- Fire hydrants for every multi-storey building, with a one-month deadline for commercial buildings; 1,157 new public hydrants approved across nine divisions
- Automatic sprinklers in all buildings, and smoke detectors and CCTV in large buildings
- Externally ventilated staircases; no boilers or flammable materials in multi-storey basements
- Monthly fire drills in every district, made part of commissioners' performance indicators
- A dedicated Fire Inspectorate Unit within Rescue 1122
- Checks on alarm and extinguisher expiry dates and on unsafe wiring
“Punjab Fire Service of Rescue 1122 saved Rs. 4.37 Billion by timely response & professional firefighting during 1,259 fire incidents in the month of September, 2025.”
— Chief Minister Office Punjab on X
What this means for you
Owners of D-category buildings are receiving notices with deadlines, and fines and legal action for non-compliance. A survey now – before an inspector arrives – lets you plan hydrants, sprinklers, detection and exits in the right order and budget.
