KARACHI:
The Judicial Commission investigating the Gul Plaza tragedy recorded the statement of senior architect and city planner Arif Hasan. The commission also directed a fire officer from Ranchore Line Fire Station to appear at the secretariat and record his statement.
According to details, the Judicial Commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, heard the statement of Arif Hasan, who appeared before the commission and shared his expert opinion on building safety and fire prevention measures.
In his statement, Arif Hasan said that architects must ensure adequate safety measures in building designs.
He emphasised that preventing fires also requires proper maintenance of electrical installations and the safe storage of LPG cylinders and other flammable materials. He pointed out that even large shopping malls often lack smoke detectors, and that simply installing an alarm system is not enough; regular fire drills are also essential.
He further stressed that safe and timely evacuation during a fire is critically important, and that emergency exits must be clearly marked and kept open. According to regulations, fire extinguishers should be available on every floor, and buildings should be equipped with water sprinkler systems throughout. He added that safety equipment must be regularly checked and maintained to keep them functional. Arif Hasan said that public awareness and training are essential to prevent such tragedies. He suggested that children should receive safety training in schools and that the public should be informed about how to respond in case of a fire. Buildings should also maintain adequate water storage for firefighting.
He noted that fire-resistant walls should be used in industrial buildings.
During the proceedings, Justice Agha Faisal observed that the SBCA had stated that its laws do not permit monitoring of buildings after their completion. The commission was informed that SBCA can only take action against illegal construction when a complaint is filed. He also referred to an explosion that occurred in a four-storey building constructed on a 35-square-yard plot in Soldier Bazaar.
Arif Hasan further explained that in informal settlements, multi-storey buildings are often constructed on very small plots, and many surveys conducted by government institutions are not reliable.
