ICCBS seminar calls for specialized rescue teams after Gul Plaza fire

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Following the Gul Plaza fire incident, the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, organized a seminar in which all stakeholders participated and recommended the establishment of specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams trained in high-rise fire response, structural collapse rescue, and hazardous materials incidents.

The participants also recommended the establishment of a centralized Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to integrate the Police, Fire Brigade, Rescue Services, Traffic Police, Health Department, CPLC, utility agencies, and forensic institutions under a single communication framework, said a spokesperson on Wednesday.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS, University of Karachi, inaugurated the seminar, which was well attended by representatives of the Police, Fire Brigade, Rescue Services, Traffic Police, Health Department, CPLC, utility agencies, and forensic institutions. Prominent participants included Dr. Sumaiya Syed Tariq, Police Surgeon Karachi; Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, In-charge and Project Director of SFDL; Amir Hasan, Director of the CPLC Shanakht Project; Dr. Saqib Ali Sheikh, Director Health Services Karachi; Muhammad Humayun Khan, Chief Fire Officer Karachi; and many others.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders under a single communication framework.

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Later, in his lecture titled “Fire and Fire Fighting: Scientific Aspects,” he highlighted the practical importance of promoting a safety culture in the country, particularly in the metropolitan city of Karachi.

He said that he has practical experience in implementing safety infrastructure and promoting safety culture, and noted that he is the author of the internationally published book Safety in the Chemical Laboratory and Industry: A Practical Guide.

He stressed the need for concrete measures by the relevant authorities to ensure that precious lives can be saved during fire incidents in the metropolis.

Dr. Sumaiya Syed Tariq spoke about the medico-legal challenges faced during the Gul Plaza incident and discussed the way forward.

Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan discussed the contributions of the DNA laboratory and the challenges posed by high fire intensity and DNA degradation. He said that DNA evidence often plays a key role in criminal investigations, paternity cases, and disaster victim identification.

He also emphasized the need to improve the quality of sample collection during mass disasters and noted that, since its establishment, SFDL has played a pivotal role in handling various critical cases.

In his talk, Amir Hasan presented an overview of the Gul Plaza incident. Muhammad Humayun Khan highlighted the challenges faced during firefighting operations, particularly interference by the public and unauthorized individuals, which created hurdles in rescue operations.