The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a progress report on the formulation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that certain requirements are met, including obtaining a certificate of no objection from the civil defense and fire departments, prior to development plans. whatever is approved.

Hearing the petition regarding the application of safety legislation under the Building Code of Pakistan, the SHC division chair led by Judge Mohammad Ali Mazhar asked the SBCA director general (DG) about the state of compliance with the court’s directive.

The director of SBCA environmental and building services said that the SBCA Directorate General had held a meeting with civil defense officials and also put in place some appropriate suggestions and suggestions to ensure that in every apartment, commercial and industrial building, there is a provision for fire exits. the door to deal with any emergency.

The firefighter informed the high court that he had also submitted a proposal to include fire safety before the approval letter was issued for the building.

The SHC directs SBCA to submit a final progress report related to the formulation of safety SOPs.

An adviser to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation submitted that 10 fire tenders had been repaired and 52 had been provided by the federal government. He said 26 fire tenders had been dedicated to 14 industrial zones in Karachi to meet urgent needs.

KMC lawyers noted that there was a shortage of manpower to operate all fire tenders and despite notification to the local agency, no action was taken to increase strength at the KMC fire department.

The high court ordered additional local government secretaries to appear before the court and submit comments regarding the shortage of firefighting staff at KMC.

The SHC also directed the Office of the Commissioner to submit a report relating to the appointment of a judge under the civil defense law in each district to identify any non-compliance with the law.

Representatives of the Office of the Commissioners said that the appointment of judges must be made on the recommendation of the head of the high court. The SHC directs the Office of the Commissioner to submit a progress report on whether the competent authorities have forwarded references to court clerks for the appointment of judges under civil defense law.

A legal officer notified SHC that the task force was conducting a vigilant inspection to ensure that fire safety measures were adopted by all commercial and industrial establishments. The high court directed the task force to continue their operations in the future, and postponed the trial until April 8.

SHC has previously been notified that three-level task forces at the divisional, district and sub-district levels have been formed to inspect high-rise buildings, factories and industries either on personal complaint or on its own motion to ensure that all fire safety measures are taken in place. such a place.