Safety precautions

This episode of disruption should serve as a wake-up call for the government

Factory fires have haunted Pakistan for over a decade, yet factory and plaza owners remain largely negligent when it comes to complying with safety laws. Following the prediction of a record rise in temperatures and frequent heatwaves in the upcoming summer season, the Rawalpindi Civil Defence notified owners of various factories and plazas to replace defunct fire extinguishing systems, damaged electrical wires and faulty switches to avoid loss of life and property. Within the first few months of the year, fires in factories in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar have been reported.

Last year, Pakistan experienced record temperatures with intense and prolonged heatwaves in many parts of the country. The hot and dry conditions allow fires to spread faster, burn longer and rage more intensely. Therefore, municipal authorities across the country should issue similar warnings to the owners of residential and commercial buildings and factories. The looming threat of heatwaves should not be taken lightly. In the past, survivors of fires have complained of a lack of fire exits and the absence of ventilation in factories. The situation in business and shopping plazas is often similar. Disturbing visuals have circulated on social media wherein people can be seen jumping off buildings to avoid suffocating and save their lives.

The provincial and municipal authorities should avoid repeating mistakes of the past and form a mechanism to ensure that building and factory owners comply with the directives. Besides the loss of life and property, such fire incidents exact a long-term toll on society and the economy. In light of emerging climate challenges, government departments, large corporations and business owners need to act more responsibly and take timely measures to avert risks of fatal incidents. People in places more vulnerable to fires should be trained and given adequate apparatus to cope with such incidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2023.

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