On January 17, 2026, Karachi’s bustling commercial center, Gul Plaza, was engulfed in flames, resulting in the loss of at least 73 lives. This devastating event has reverberated throughout Pakistan, exposing significant lapses in fire safety enforcement.
Despite the existence of the Building Code of Pakistan Fire Safety Provisions 2016 (FSP2016), aligned with international standards like NFPA 1, the tragedy unfolded due to a cascade of failures. Key requirements such as automatic sprinklers, fire hydrants, and functional fire alarms were absent in Gul Plaza, exacerbating the disaster.
The building’s design, with narrow corridors and blocked exits, turned it into a death trap. Most victims succumbed to smoke inhalation as the fire spread rapidly due to unsealed service ducts and lack of smoke barriers.
The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), responsible for enforcing fire safety codes, faces scrutiny for its role in the tragedy. Corruption and systemic failures within the enforcement ecosystem are believed to have contributed to the disaster.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict fire safety compliance. Pakistan must act decisively to ensure that such a preventable disaster never occurs again.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 3rd, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
