Following the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, the Punjab government has given stakeholders a two week deadline to ensure the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures in plazas, schools and hospitals across the province.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said a building grading system has been introduced under which safe buildings will be classified as A grade, while others will be ranked according to their condition. She added that the firefighting sector is being modernized with new equipment, drones and advanced technology.
She further said that Rescue 1122 will share a geotagged list of hydrants with Wasa, while a dedicated monitoring cell, equipped with powers granted to the Pera Force, will be responsible for overseeing compliance with SOPs. Under the new rules, buildings are now legally required to clearly display entry and exit points.
The provincial government has also approved an emergency plan to install 1,142 fire hydrants at major commercial markets, plazas and business centres across Punjab. All locations have been geotagged, and the hydrants are expected to become operational by March 1, with Rescue 1122 tasked with their installation.
Azma Bokhari also said that modern ambulances and air ambulances are being deployed to strengthen emergency response. She noted that 240 patients have already been airlifted and that Rescue 1122 has helped prevent potential losses exceeding Rs750 billion.