A fire erupted Thursday morning in the basement of Hafeez Center, one of Lahore’s busiest commercial hubs, located in the city’s Gulberg area. Although no injuries or fatalities were reported at the time of filing, the incident has reignited public concern over fire safety negligence in major urban marketplaces.

According to Rescue 1122, the blaze originated in the lower level of the multi-storey plaza, which houses hundreds of electronics shops and offices. Thick smoke quickly engulfed several floors, triggering panic as shopkeepers and employees scrambled to evacuate.

Emergency teams, including fire brigades and rescue units, responded swiftly and began efforts to contain the fire and assist those trapped inside. Initial reports suggest that an electrical fault—possibly linked to exposed wiring and outdated infrastructure—may have sparked the blaze.

A Troubling Pattern

This is not the first time Hafeez Center has faced such a crisis. In 2020, a massive fire gutted dozens of shops, resulting in significant financial losses for business owners. Despite that tragedy, the building was reportedly reopened without fully adhering to fire safety recommendations or undergoing complete structural clearance.

Insiders claim that regulatory bodies failed to enforce mandatory safety upgrades, allowing the plaza to operate without comprehensive rewiring or updated fire prevention systems. “This is a systemic failure, not an isolated event,” said one fire safety official who requested anonymity.

Regulatory Oversight Under Scrutiny

The latest incident comes on the heels of controversial decisions by local authorities, including a directive from the Governor of Punjab to reopen another fire-affected building in Lahore without a full inspection. Critics now argue that such ad-hoc measures risk public safety for short-term commercial convenience.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

Experts and civil society members are calling for urgent action, including strict enforcement of building codes, periodic safety audits, and transparent inspections. “These high-risk structures should not be allowed to operate until they meet every legal and safety requirement,” warned a structural engineer familiar with the site.

As the firefighting operation continues and damage assessments are underway, the Hafeez Center fire serves as a sobering reminder of what’s at stake when basic safety protocols are ignored in high-density commercial spaces.