Commercial establishments — even those that pose serious danger to human lives — continue to operate in the heart of residential neighbourhoods. And that’s the case nearly everywhere in the country. Just last week, nine people lost their lives in an illegal firecracker factory in Hyderabad, Sindh. In June 2024, a cylinder blast in the same city had claimed the lives of 27 people. Faisalabad alone has recorded 20 boiler explosions or major fire incidents between June 2019 and May 2024, killing 13 workers and injuring 20 others, according to Rescue 1122 data. These incidents include those that happened in residential localities.
Thousands upon thousands words have been written on the impunity with which even hazardous commercial activities are being carried out in densely populated areas. Sadly, nobody is bothered. As always, the authorities will spring into action this time too, seal a few illegal businesses, make a few arrests — and soon there will be business as usual. While provincial governments must come down hard on the responsible officials for their complicity, the residents too must formally report such illegal establishments to the police and other relevant authorities, and pursue the cases vigorously.