Hoses missing as Hayatabad fire rages on

While Rome burned, Emperor Nero was said to have played the fiddle. As the Hayatabad Industrial Estate continues to burn, both the provincial administration and federal government seem to be playing their own political tune. More than 96 hours since the fire broke out, it is still raging, and the provincial authorities are struggling to bring it under control.

According to sources, the task is further complicated by the fact that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government's fire trucks are in federal custody, having been seized during the provincial ruling party's last protest in Islamabad. Details obtained by The Express Tribune indicate that 18 vehicles—including seven fire trucks, three water tankers, six ambulances, and a crane—along with 48 Rescue 1122 personnel remain in the custody of Islamabad Police.

Voicing his frustration at Rescue 1122's delayed response, Ayub Zakori, President of the Hayatabad Industrial Estate Association said, "It is disheartening that, after 96 hours, the fire is still blazing. This reflects poorly on both the provincial government and Rescue 1122."

According to Zakori, rescue teams arrived 20 to 25 minutes late, and some trucks showed up empty. While he acknowledged the Air Force's assistance, he criticised the provincial authorities and Rescue 1122 for their failure to bring the blaze under control promptly. That failure, now on display for more than four days, according to Zakori's estimate, translated into losses exceeding two billion rupees. "Industrialists are already facing challenges, with many relocating their businesses to other provinces like Punjab. How can we expect investors to stay under such conditions?" questioned Zakori.

Hayatabad Industrial Estate hosts over 4,000 factories, both large and small, providing employment to thousands. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Zakori claimed he had sent multiple letters to the chief minister, urging him to visit the estate and address these concerns, yet his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Pouring scorn on the provincial administration's policies, Zakori remarked, "On the one hand, they claim to want to attract investors, on the other, they impose high taxes and extort industrialists, making it increasingly difficult for us to continue business here." He urged the federal government and the national disaster management authorities to offer relief to the affected business owners.

When asked about the confiscation of equipment in Islamabad, Abdul Karim Tordher, the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Industries, retorted, "If standing up for our leader makes us criminals, I own that label." Amid mounting criticism, Tordher defended the rescue efforts, claiming that "Rescue 1122's response teams arrived on time and minimized the damage." He insisted that the provincial government remains committed to investigating the incident.

Political powerplay

Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi seized the moment to criticise the provincial government's failures. Sidestepping questions about the federal government's decision to release the seized fire engines and vehicles, he remarked, "It is tragic that even after 96 hours, the fire remains uncontrolled. Hayatabad Industrial Estate is the backbone of our province's and Pakistan's economy, yet Rescue 1122's performance has left the business community deeply dissatisfied."

Alluding to the ongoing political tussle between the centre and the provincial administration, Kundi said, "Rescue 1122 operates with taxpayer money meant to serve the people—not for politically motivated missions to Islamabad." He accused the provincial government of misusing public resources to "fight the state," and argued that they should now "face the music." Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Kundi promised to raise the issue of returning the seized vehicles with federal authorities.

"While half of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa grapples with terrorism—whether in Parachinar, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, or Bannu—the provincial government is distracted by non-essential political activities," Kundi noted. He called for a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the incident, under the oversight of a parliamentary commission that excludes provincial officials.

Raising the stakes further, Abdul Karim Tordher countered, "Islamabad belongs to all of us, not just a select few." He conceded that government machinery should remain committed to public welfare but underscored, "We were elected by the people, and the machinery belongs to the province's citizens."