KEY POINTS
- Capital administration plans to deploy drones for firefighting and rescue.
- Mandatory city-wide survey and fire safety audits have been ordered for all high-rises.
- New buildings must now have pre-approved CDA fire safety plans and PEC-certified compliance.
- Plans include a new digital Emergency Operation Centre and regular simulation drills for preparedness.
ISLAMABAD: In a move to tackle challenges of urban fires, the civic body of Islamabad city, Capital Development Authority (CDA), has unveiled a blueprint to modernize Islamabad’s emergency response, with drones poised to become the new frontline warriors against blazes in high-rise buildings.
The futuristic strategy was finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, focusing exclusively on fire safety for the capital’s sensitive and towering structures.
The meeting was convened in response to a massive fire at a Karachi shopping mall that had left at least 26 people dead and 73 others missing.
Aerial support for ground teams
Officials briefed the meeting that unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will be deployed to assist in firefighting and rescue operations, particularly in scenarios where traditional access for firefighters is obstructed or too risky.
This initiative is a core component of a broader modernisation drive for Islamabad’s entire emergency response ecosystem.
Stricter Compliance and City-Wide Audits
The session reinforced existing regulations, mandating that CDA-approved fire safety plans and Pakistan Engineering Council-certified fire compliance are non-negotiable prerequisites for all new constructions.
Chairman Randhawa issued immediate directives for a comprehensive survey and categorisation of all high-rise buildings in Islamabad.
He emphasised zero tolerance for lapses, demanding that every such building must have fully functional fire safety systems and clear emergency exits.
He further ordered the establishment of a stringent mechanism to bring older and sensitive buildings into full regulatory compliance and called for more effective and rigorous fire safety audits.
Building a future-ready emergency framework
To ensure operational readiness, Randhawa instructed the Capital Emergency Services to conduct regular simulation drills in high-rise buildings in coordination with the district administration and to swiftly address any staffing shortages within the department.
The meeting also reviewed blueprints for establishing a state-of-the-art digital Emergency Operation Centre and new rescue stations at strategic locations across the city.
“Protecting the lives and property of our citizens is the foremost priority,” stated Chairman Randhawa, confirming that work is actively in progress to develop a comprehensive legal and operational framework dedicated to emergency and disaster management in the federal capital.
