IHC Seeks Report on Fire Safety Audit of Islamabad Buildings
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a report and para-wise comments from the Federal government and other respondents within two weeks regarding a petition asking for a comprehensive fire safety audit of all buildings in the federal capital and sealing those operating without mandatory fire safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Chief Justice, Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued these directions while disposing of the written order from the previous hearing and adjourned further proceedings until September 24.
According to the court order, the petitioner argued that a tragic fire incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), resulting in the loss of several newborn babies' lives, exposed significant lapses in implementing fire safety laws in Islamabad. They stated that numerous buildings in the city were functioning without fire safety NOCs, despite the requirement under the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulations, 2010.
The petitioner contended:
- Commercial, residential, educational, and medical buildings lacked adequate fire-fighting equipment and emergency exits.
- Relevant authorities had failed to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit of buildings across Islamabad.
The petition further asserted that the failure to identify NOC-less buildings reflected negligence from the concerned authorities and violated Articles 9, 14, and 25 of the Constitution. It sought:
- Directions for a thorough fire safety audit of all buildings in Islamabad.
- Publication of a list of buildings operating without mandatory NOCs.
- Sealing of buildings violating fire safety laws until compliance.
- Making registration of hospitals and educational institutions conditional upon obtaining fire safety NOCs.
The IHC requested reports and para-wise comments from the respondents and adjourned the hearing until September 24. The constitutional petition was filed by Malik Naveed Ashiq Awan following the tragic fire incident at PIMS on August 26, during which newborn babies reportedly lost their lives.