162 Karachi Buildings Still Non-Compliant with Fire Safety Rules, PDMA Data Shows

KARACHI: New Karachi fire safety data shows the city remains the most vulnerable division in Sindh, with 162 buildings still failing to meet the rules, according to the PDMA’s Fire Safety Audits Portal.

The portal’s figures reveal a troubling gap between the audit’s ambitions and its progress. Of the 907 buildings identified in Karachi, only 292 have been revisited in the second phase. As many as 615 buildings are still waiting for re-inspection.

Karachi fire safety numbers, district by district

The district-wise picture is uneven. South has 57 non-compliant and 104 partially compliant buildings, followed by Central with 45 non-compliant, 69 partially and 71 substantially compliant. East has 15 non-compliant, Korangi 23, Malir seven, Keamari four, and West 11 non-compliant with 34 partially compliant. Korangi is the bright spot, with 140 buildings substantially compliant.

Some buildings are deteriorating. In Karachi division, four buildings slipped from medium to high risk and one from low to high during the second phase, while only 14 improved from high to medium and 22 from high to low.

The picture across Sindh

Province-wide, 3,486 buildings have been identified, including 142 added in the second phase. Only 1,270 have been revisited, while 2,216, over 63 per cent, are yet to be revisited. Of those revisited, 61 are non-compliant, 457 partially compliant and 752 substantially compliant.

The overall risk picture is stark: 486 buildings are high risk, or 13 per cent, 1,199 medium risk and 1,829 low risk. That means 47 per cent of all audited buildings remain in the medium or high-risk category. In the second phase alone, 231 were rated high risk, 463 medium and 576 low.

Hyderabad has the highest number of identified buildings at 1,295, with 943 still pending, and the highest count of partially compliant buildings at 691.

There is some progress: 225 buildings improved, 124 moving from high to medium, 35 from high to low and 66 from medium to low. But 970 showed no change, and 21 deteriorated, including 14 from medium to high and seven from low to high.

Officials said the second-phase drive to verify fire safety recommendations is continuing, but with 2,216 buildings still awaiting re-inspection, the audit is far from complete.

Hospitals, schools and industries next

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi chaired a meeting on Wednesday, October 7, and ordered the fire safety audit finished swiftly, with deputy commissioners and departments completing the ongoing survey through coordinated efforts.

The meeting, attended by the DCs, PDMA officials, the Sindh Building Control Authority, the fire brigade and other departments, reviewed enforcement of fire safety laws in commercial buildings.

Naqvi directed that notices be issued to buildings where safety arrangements are missing, requiring full compliance. Approved building maps will be uploaded on the portal, with the SBCA told to give this priority so the fire brigade gets help during emergencies. The audit will also cover hospitals, industries and schools, with hospitals first.

PDMA system analyst Diyal Das Rathore briefed the meeting that survey committees headed by assistant commissioners have surveyed 907 buildings in Karachi division. The DCs reported that South audited 202 buildings, Central 185 and East 196, while in Korangi a shopping centre in Shah Faisal Colony was directed to take immediate safety measures.

Frequently asked questions

How many Karachi buildings fail fire safety rules?

According to PDMA Fire Safety Audits Portal data, 162 buildings in Karachi are non-compliant, making it the most vulnerable division in Sindh. Of 907 identified buildings, 615 are still awaiting re-inspection.

Which Karachi district has the most non-compliant buildings?

South district has the most with 57 non-compliant buildings, followed by Central with 45. Korangi is the only district improving significantly.

What has the Karachi commissioner ordered?

Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has ordered the audit completed swiftly, notices issued to non-compliant buildings, approved maps uploaded to the portal, and the audit extended to hospitals on a priority basis, along with industries and schools.

How bad is fire safety compliance across Sindh?

Province-wide, 3,486 buildings have been identified and more than 63 per cent are yet to be revisited. Of all audited buildings, 47 per cent remain in the medium or high-risk category.