Abdul Ghani

 The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has joined hands with the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to ensure that all units within the zone are equipped with the fully functional firefighting infrastructure, shows a document available with Wealth Pakistan. This collaboration aims to address the pressing need for enhanced safety measures following a fire incident at the EPZ Karachi, which highlighted vulnerabilities in the zone’s fire safety protocols.

Under the EPZA Rules 1981, both the zone authority and the enterprises operating within the zone are responsible for ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment, and goods. The importance of this responsibility is clearly outlined in Rule 15, which specifically mandates that the safety measures fall under the jurisdiction of both the Authority and the enterprises in the zone. In response to the safety concerns, the FBR has been actively working with the EPZA to address deficiencies in the existing firefighting infrastructure and enhance safety standards across the zone.

Following the fire incident, the FBR, in collaboration with the EPZA, initiated a series of joint inspections at the EPZ to assess the firefighting capabilities of all units within the zone. These inspections, initiated in mid-2025, have focused on evaluating the firefighting equipment and ensuring compliance with the Customs Rules 2001, particularly Rule 343, which addresses the firefighting capabilities.

In response to these inspections, a total of 27 units at the EPZ have now fully operational firefighting systems in place, while the remaining units are installing their firefighting equipment under the close supervision of EPZA to ensure compliance with the safety standards.
One of the key elements of this effort has been the involvement of the Customs officials in assisting the EPZA with the inspection and installation of firefighting systems. A letter dated June 2025 outlined the formation of a specialized team of Customs officials, who were nominated to carry out joint inspections across the EPZ. This team has been tasked with evaluating the firefighting readiness of each unit and ensuring that the firefighting equipment is installed and operational in line with the regulatory requirements.

In addition to the inspections, the EPZA has worked to qualify authorized vendors to supply the required firefighting equipment to the EPZ investors. These vendors have been vetted to ensure that they meet the necessary standards for the supplied equipment. Furthermore, in an effort to improve awareness of the fire safety protocols, the EPZA held a series of awareness sessions for zone investors and stakeholders in August 2025. These sessions were aimed at educating stakeholders on the importance of fire safety and ensuring that they are well-informed about the necessary measures to take in case of an emergency.

With the installation of 27 firefighting units, the EPZA is working toward ensuring that the remaining units are equipped with the necessary fire safety systems as soon as possible. The total number of units at the EPZ is substantial, and the ongoing effort to enhance fire safety across the zone is expected to significantly reduce the risk of fire-related incidents in future.
The FBR and EPZA are also collaborating on long-term strategies to maintain fire safety standards at the EPZ, including regular inspections, maintenance of equipment, and continuous education for investors and stakeholders.

This ongoing commitment to safety is expected to not only improve the EPZ's operational integrity but also contribute to the overall safety and well-being of employees and enterprises operating within the zone. This collaboration between the FBR and the EPZA underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of industrial zones and demonstrates the commitment of both authorities to enhancing safety measures across Pakistan’s economic hubs. By addressing critical fire safety concerns, the FBR and EPZA aim to create a safer working environment for all enterprises operating within EPZ Karachi.

Credit: INP-WealthPk