The Punjab government has directed managements of plazas, schools and hospitals across the province to implement fire safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within two weeks, as authorities move to prevent incidents similar to the recent Gul Plaza fire in Karachi.
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Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced a series of emergency measures, including the introduction of a province-wide building grading system. Under the new framework, buildings meeting safety requirements will be categorised as A-grade, while others will be graded according to their structural and safety conditions.
She said the firefighting sector was being upgraded through the use of modern technology, drones and advanced equipment. Rescue 1122 will provide the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) with a geotagged list of water hydrants, while a separate monitoring cell with special powers will be established to ensure compliance with SOPs. The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) Force will assist in oversight.
ریسکیو 1122 پنجاب اب تحصیل کی سطح پر عوام کی بروقت خدمت کے لیے کوشاں رہے گی۔۔۔
وزیر اطلاعات پنجاب عظمیٰ زاہد بخاری کی پریس کانفرنس pic.twitter.com/DbxLK36j5d— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) January 22, 2026
سانحہ گل پلازہ!
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب کا اظہار تعزیت۔۔۔
وزیر اطلاعات پنجاب عظمیٰ زاہد بخاری کی پریس کانفرنس pic.twitter.com/De6rPGmUTU— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) January 22, 2026
Azma Bokhari stressed that all buildings would be legally bound to clearly display entry and exit points, adding that the provincial government maintained zero tolerance for negligence. She also highlighted improvements in emergency response, noting that technologically equipped ambulances were being added to Rescue 1122 and that 240 patients had already been airlifted via air ambulance services. According to the minister, Rescue 1122 has prevented financial losses exceeding Rs750 billion to date.
Separately, the Punjab government has approved an emergency plan to install 1,142 fire hydrants at major commercial markets, plazas and business centres across the province. The Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department said all locations had been selected and geotagged to allow rapid access during emergencies, with installations to be completed by March 1.
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Housing Department Secretary retired Capt Noorul Amin Mengal said Rescue 1122 would be responsible for installing and maintaining the hydrants. The initiative aims to strengthen rapid response capabilities and reduce loss of life and property in high-risk areas.