SHC orders 'relocation' of fireworks warehouses away from residential areas

The Sindh High Court directed on Monday that all fireworks warehouses and factories be relocated away from residential areas. 

A two-member bench, led by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and comprising Justice Abdul Rehman, took up a petition filed in connection with the deadly explosion in Al-Amna Plaza on Karachi's MA Jinnah Road last August, which had claimed at least six lives and injured another 30. 

According to Karachi South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso report, submitted before the court on Monday, the first licence or a fireworks shop in the building was issued in 1971 by then assistant commissioner of Karachi Cantonment. 

The Civil Defence No Objection Certificate (NOC) allows only retailers to keep only 25–30 kilograms of fireworks. But the warehouse in question stored much larger quantities, in violation of the conditions, the court was apprised. The large cache of fireworks directly resulted in the explosion, the bench was told.

All active firework licences and NOCs in the South District were revoked after the explosion at Al-Amna Plaza, Khoso informed the court. Besides, he added, explosives were seized and destroyed by Bomb Disposal Squad while the Karachi Cantonment Board was tasked with examining the damaged structure. 

Read: Fireworks tragedy

Financial compensation for the victims falls under the Sindh government's jurisdiction, said Khoso. 

At least six people were killed and another 30 injured in the blast. The petitioner, mother of one deceased young man, contended through her counsel that illegal godowns in crowded neighbourhoods were a threat to citizens' lives. The authorities have repeatedly ignored complaints against them, maintained the petition.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel, advocate Usman Farooq, maintained that Explosives Act 1884 does not permit licences for manufacturing or storing fireworks in public or residential areas. He stressed that locating such warehouses next to schools and densely populated housing blocks was unlawful and dangerous.

The court disposed of the petition after recording the DC South’s reply, and issued clear directions that fireworks warehouses and factories be shifted “out of” residential areas.

Fireworks blast 

The August 22 explosion at Al-Amna Plaza, gutted shops, destroyed motorcycles, and damaged the Government Girls Higher Secondary School nearby.

Victims included shopkeepers such as a surgical instruments supplier and a hearing-aid dealer. At least one man, Ayaz, remained missing in the days following the blast.

Investigations revealed that the warehouse was operated by Muhammad Hanif, also known as Hanif Patakha, and his brother Muhammad Ayub.

Read More: Notices issued over illegal fireworks warehouse

Hanif was arrested while Ayub absconded. The Bomb Disposal Squad later confirmed that over 5,000kg of fireworks were stockpiled on site, with about 500kg detonating in the blast. Suppliers were traced to Balochistan, Lahore and China, with evidence of local production as well.

The findings fuelled widespread anger over regulatory negligence. The warehouse licence had long expired, yet inspections were never carried out.

By the last official count, six people had been confirmed dead, more than 30 injured. The court’s order has now formalised a ban on storing fireworks in residential areas, placing responsibility on authorities to ensure compliance and prevent such tragedies from recurring in Karachi.