The Capital Development Authority has fined three major Islamabad hospitals and sealed several high-rise buildings in the federal capital as part of a citywide fire safety crackdown launched in the wake of a deadly blaze at a public hospital.
Hospitals Fined Rs500,000 Each
PIMS, Polyclinic and Capital Hospital were each fined Rs500,000 for non-compliance with fire and life safety requirements, according to the CDA. Inspectors from the Fire and Emergency Services Directorate found deficiencies in emergency exits, firefighting equipment and evacuation procedures at all three facilities during citywide checks.
A Tragedy That Triggered the Crackdown
The enforcement drive follows an August 26 fire in the nursery unit at PIMS that killed 14 newborn infants, one of the deadliest hospital fire incidents in the capital’s recent history. The tragedy prompted CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf to order a “zero-tolerance” approach toward fire safety violations across Islamabad.
High-Rises Sealed in Blue Area
The CDA sealed four high-rise buildings in the Blue Area business district: the Shaheed-i-Millat Building, State Life Building, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan building, and Beverly Centre. Two hotels were partially sealed, with new guest intake halted until safety deficiencies are corrected. Authorities also moved to seal apartment buildings in sector F-11.
Legal Petition Adds Pressure
A citizen has separately petitioned the Islamabad High Court, alleging PIMS lacked a valid fire safety clearance and claiming that numerous commercial, educational and medical facilities across the capital continue to operate without mandatory fire safety no-objection certificates. The petition adds legal pressure on the CDA to sustain its inspection drive beyond the immediate aftermath of the PIMS fire.
What Happens Next
The CDA says protection of human life remains its foremost responsibility and that inspections will continue across both public and private buildings. Hospitals and commercial property owners are being given timelines to fix the violations identified, after which further penalties or extended closures could follow for those that fail to comply.