Karachi’s fire safety infrastructure is grossly inadequate for its rapidly growing population, industry representatives warn. Malik Khuda Bakhsh, President of the Pakistan Business Group (Sindh Region) and Convener of the FPCCI Energy Standing Committee, stated that the city’s population has reached nearly 40 million, and according to international safety standards, at least 200 to 250 fire stations are required to serve it effectively.
In reality, Karachi has only 12 fully operational central fire stations and an additional 16 temporary units under bridges and roads, totaling 28 stations. The city also suffers from a severe shortage of trained personnel: it needs between 15,000 and 20,000 firefighters, but currently only 930 are deployed, meaning each firefighter is responsible for the safety of around 1,000 residents—a ratio far below acceptable norms.
Khuda Bakhsh described the recent Gul Plaza fire as a national tragedy, urged uninterrupted completion of rescue operations, and called for fast relief to affected shopkeepers. He also emphasized the need for a neutral and transparent inquiry to uncover the true causes and accountability for the incident.