Lahore’s Hafeez Center Hit by Another Fire, Safety Concerns Reignite

Lahore’s prominent electronics market, Hafeez Center in Gulberg, was once again engulfed in flames on Thursday, causing widespread alarm and reigniting serious concerns about fire safety standards in commercial buildings. The incident, which rapidly filled the multi-storey complex with thick black smoke, is trending on Google as authorities and citizens grapple with its implications.

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The fire, believed to have originated in the basement due to a short circuit, prompted a swift response from Rescue 1122 teams. Their prompt action prevented a major disaster, bringing the blaze under control within 20 minutes and averting massive losses to the hundreds of electronics shops and offices housed within the building. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as shopkeepers and staff scrambled to evacuate amid the rapidly spreading smoke. Social media footage showed the entire five-storey building shrouded in black smoke, even as persistent monsoon rains fell.

This is not the first time Hafeez Center has faced such a calamity. A massive fire in October 2020 destroyed hundreds of shops and caused billions in losses. Subsequent investigations revealed structural cracks and non-functional firefighting systems, leading to the building’s temporary sealing. However, reports indicate that the center was reopened under commercial and political pressure without fully implementing crucial safety upgrades.

The latest incident has intensified scrutiny of regulatory enforcement and the alleged bypassing of essential safety checks. Officials and safety experts are warning that allowing commercial buildings to operate without mandatory structural evaluations, rewiring, and fire clearances is not only negligent but potentially life-threatening. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has praised the rescue efforts and directed a comprehensive security and safety audit of the entire Hafeez Center.

The recurring fires at Hafeez Center highlight a systemic failure to uphold basic safety protocols, posing a continuous risk to businesses and the thousands of lives that frequent such commercial hubs daily.