Published July 15, 2026 · By TAGCO Fire & Safety

SBCA's New 2026 Fire Safety Rules: What Every Karachi Business Owner Needs to Know

If you own or manage a shop, office, factory, or commercial building in Karachi, there's a new set of rules you can't afford to ignore. Following the tragic Gul Plaza fire, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has rolled out sweeping amendments to the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations — and enforcement has already begun, with hundreds of notices issued to commercial buildings across the city.

Here's what's changed, and what you need to do about it.

Why This Happened

For years, fire safety compliance in Karachi's commercial buildings was inconsistently enforced. That changed after a devastating fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre exposed just how many buildings across the city were operating without basic firefighting equipment, marked emergency exits, or a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire brigade. In the audit that followed, officials found buildings lacking even the most basic fire safety arrangements. The public backlash was swift, and SBCA moved to tighten enforcement citywide.

What the New Rules Actually Require

For retail and commercial spaces:

• Every commercial shop must have at least one fire extinguisher on the premises.
• Departmental stores and larger retail spaces need one extinguisher for every 400 square feet.

For new construction:

• Certified MEP drawings for fire safety must be approved before permits are issued.
• Buildings must include dedicated underground and overhead water tanks for firefighting.
• Clear emergency access routes must be maintained at all times.

For completion certificates:

• No project gets a completion certificate without NOCs from Civil Defence and the fire department.
• Annual safety inspections are now mandatory.

What Happens If You Don't Comply

SBCA teams have already issued hundreds of notices. Buildings are given days, not months, to comply. Non-compliance risks sealing, fines, and denial of completion certificates.

What You Should Do Now

1. Get an audit. Find out what your building is missing.
2. Install certified equipment. NFPA/CE/PSI certified only.
3. Get an AMC. Monthly checks and annual servicing keep you compliant.
4. Sort your NOC early. Start the clearance process well before you need it.