24/02/2026
A Step Ahead Toward Prevention!
The Humaara Karachi Street Assembly, held at Denso Hall Rahguzar Walking Street, convened leading architects, engineers, and safety professionals to deliberate on Fire Protection Arrangements in Rahguzar Buildings, with a focused agenda on strengthening preventive fire safety mechanisms in heritage urban zones.
The Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) played a central and proactive role in the session, reaffirming its commitment to resilient infrastructure, structural integrity, and public safety in densely built environments.
Building upon the discussions on fire safety during ACEP’s Resilient Urban Infrastructure Conference, this initiative represents a step ahead — shifting from reactive response to structured prevention at the grassroots and technical levels.
While the Conference emphasized policy dialogue, regulatory reform, and institutional responsibility, the Street Assembly translated that vision into practical engagement, awareness, and implementation-oriented discussions. It reflects ACEP’s continued leadership in advancing preventive planning rather than incident-based reaction.
The event was proudly represented by:
Engr. Wasif Nazar Siddiqui - Honorary Secretary ACEP
Engr. Kamran Siddiqui - Member ACEP
Engr. Safwan Ali - Member ACEP
Maheen Akhtar - Public Relations Officer ACEP
Their presence underscored ACEP’s technical leadership and ongoing advocacy for strengthening fire safety standards across Pakistan.
Distinguished Guests and Speakers:
The session was honored by the presence of:
Ar. Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan’s first female architect and the founder of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan.
Ar. Sohail Chohan, Chairman, Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP)
Engr. Farooq Mehboob, President ASHRAE & Member ACEP
Engr. Javaid Akhtar, Occupational Health and Industrial Safety Expert
Engr. Sohail Bashir, President IEP Pakistan
The program featured a live Fire Drill Demonstration, followed by a technical presentation outlining key findings and proposals, and an engaging interactive discussion session.
Key Fire Safety Prevention Priorities Highlighted
The dialogue emphasized:
1.Installation of compliant fire detection and alarm systems
2.Provision and routine maintenance of fire extinguishers and hydrant systems
3.Clearly marked and obstruction-free emergency exits and evacuation routes
4.Regular fire drills and occupant awareness training
5.Upgrading outdated electrical infrastructure to reduce fire hazards
6.Strengthening enforcement of building safety codes and compliance audits
7.Institutional coordination for long-term preventive urban safety planning
Engr Wasif Nazar Siddiqui said:
Sustainable urban resilience depends not only on infrastructure development but on institutionalized fire prevention and professional accountability. ACEP remains steadfast in its mission to drive engineering excellence, policy advocacy, and collaborative action toward building safer and more resilient cities for Pakistan.
