The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued directives to the government on Nov 29, 2023 regarding the tragic blaze that engulfed a commercial building on Karachi’s Rashid Minhas road, instructing the initiation of criminal proceedings against implicated officials should solid evidence surface. The court’s intervention followed a petition advocating for the enforcement of fire safety laws in high-rise structures across the city, prompted by the recent deadly fire at R.J. Shopping Mall claiming eleven lives and injuring five others due to alleged inadequate ventilation. The court, summoning a response by December 7, emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry to uncover the cause behind the incident and indicated potential criminal actions against responsible officials.
Additionally, the SHC stressed compensation for the victims’ families and compliance with fire safety regulations in newly constructed buildings. The petitioner urged strict enforcement of the Building Code of Pakistan’s fire safety provisions and highlighted the proliferation of structures without adequate firefighting systems, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight and redressal for affected families.