KARACHI: We have recently seen the safety lapse in Imran Khan’s jalsa that caused serious injuries to the PTI leader. There is a need to be more safety-conscious during such events. The organisers should have used a fenced and fixed cage to be lifted by the forklifter.
At the same time, we have seen a fire incident at the LDA building where lives were lost. Here, too, the authorities did not learn from their past mistakes. The LDA is supposed to approve building plans in Lahore and ensure that they take appropriate safety measures, including, but not limited to, fire safety exits. It is strange that the LDA itself was unable to pinpoint emergency fire exits in its own building.
In Karachi, we saw a similar incident at the State Life Building, as well as at the Baldia Town factory. We have seen many people jumping from the top of buildings to save themselves from the fire but they have still ended up tragically losing their lives.
Perhaps, authorities should consider installing large nets or trampolines in buildings or provide them to fire brigades and rescue teams so that in case of such emergencies, these may be immediately available and people jumping from buildings can be saved.
Dr Saleem Siddiqi
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.
