92 buildings sealed in Islamabad for fire safety violations in September, Rs 2.4 million fined

Islamabad's Capital Emergency Services (CES) sealed 92 buildings and premises in September 2026 for breaking fire and life safety rules, ProPakistani reported on Friday 9 October. Most were shops: the sealed premises include 78 commercial shops and 8 high-rise buildings, along with residential and government buildings.

The drive was ordered by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CDA chairman Sohail Ashraf, and the inspections were carried out by the CDA's Building Emergency Audit and Prevention Wing.

The numbers

• 154 audits under the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulations: 115 hospitals, 29 government buildings, 6 commercial properties and 4 residential buildings.
• 288 challans issued.
• Rs 2.4 million recovered: Rs 1.7 million from commercial cases and Rs 700,000 from hospitals.
• Rs 510,000 in fees collected for 102 commercial fire and life safety plans.

The main failing in hospitals was inadequate fire safety equipment, according to the report. CES says it will keep sealing buildings that do not comply.

If you run a shop or office in Islamabad

A sealed premises is de-sealed once the required safety measures are in place and CES has verified them. Typical basics that fire inspectors check:

1. Working extinguishers of the right type, serviced and tagged, within easy reach.
2. Clear exits: no stock or furniture blocking stairs, corridors or emergency doors.
3. Alarms and detection in larger buildings, plus emergency lighting.
4. An approved fire and life safety plan for commercial buildings, which is what the Rs 510,000 in fees covered last month.
5. Safe wiring: no overloaded sockets or loose generator and UPS connections.

If you are a tenant, ask your building management for its fire safety plan approval before an inspection reaches you. Shops and offices looking for fire equipment suppliers, electricians or safety consultants can search our Islamabad business directory.