Fire incidents spur fresh safety measures

RAWALPINDI: Authorities in Rawalpindi Division have ordered all public transport vehicles to install modern fire extinguishing equipment and provide separate emergency exit doors after recent fatal fire incidents in Murree.

The directive covers buses, wagons, coasters and Suzuki vans operating on both intra-city and long-distance routes. Officials said the move followed recent incidents in Murree in which two passenger vehicles caught fire, causing deaths from burns.

The Regional Transport Authority, Rawalpindi Traffic Police and Civil Defence teams have been directed to enforce the order through strict monitoring. Under the decision, vehicles that do not meet the safety requirements will face heavy fines and may be impounded.

Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said passenger safety was the government’s foremost concern and that the authorities would not allow any relaxation on the issue. He said all vehicles must be fitted with fire extinguishers and emergency exits, and those failing to comply would not be permitted to operate.

According to the deputy commissioner, inspection teams have been formed and will begin checking vehicles from Monday, June 29. These teams will carry out roadside inspections and take enforcement action where needed.

Officials said the commissioner and deputy commissioner had both issued instructions for strict implementation of the safety measures on all routes across the division.