The commission was tasked with enforcement of building bylaws, including provision of emergency exits in high-rise buildings. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday removed Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer from the chairmanship of the Fire Safety Commission amidst allegations of poor handling of the May 9 fire at LDA plaza.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also summoned Punjab advocate general for July 11 along with the report of the inquiry into the fire incident. He also asked the petitioner to suggest names for the chairman of the Fire Safety Commission.
During the course of hearing, petitioner Advocate Noshab Khan said that on March 2, the court had formed the fire safety commission under the chairmanship of Dr Naseer. The commission was tasked with enforcement of building bylaws, including provision of emergency exits in high-rise buildings. He said that fire rescue workers of the Punjab Emergency Service had failed to rescue people trapped in the LDA plaza when a fire erupted. He said the Rescue 1122 was not properly equipped to deal with such situations.
Khan told the court that people trapped on top floors of the plaza had to jump from the windows because there were no long ladders.
The lawyer said had Rescue 1122 had been equipped with modern tools, several lives could have been saved.
He mentioned a letter written by District Coordination Officer (DCO) Naseem Sadiq to the chief minister, suggesting that the fire was used to destroy some of the records kept in the building.
Advocate Khan urged the court to order a judicial inquiry into the incident.
A provincial law officer told the court that an inquiry into the incident was in progress on the directions of the chief minister. He said an initial report in this regard had been submitted to the chief minister.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2013.
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