The District Magistrate Islamabad has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the fire incident that occurred at the H-9 market, commonly known as Itwar Bazaar or Sunday Bazaar. A formal notification to this effect has been issued, outlining the committee's composition and terms of reference.
Committee Composition and Key Members
According to the notification, the committee will be headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Islamabad. Its members include representatives from the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, Islamabad Police, the District Emergency Officer Rawalpindi, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Civil Defence, and the District Administration. The inclusion of Rawalpindi's emergency officer highlights the cross-jurisdictional cooperation required for the investigation.
Terms of Reference and Investigation Scope
The committee has been tasked with multiple objectives: reviewing the response and response time of rescue services, determining the causes of the fire and the factors contributing to its rapid spread, estimating the extent of financial and human losses, and formulating recommendations for the future functionality and operation of the safe parts of the market. The committee is also empowered to present other necessary observations and recommendations as it deems fit.
Timeline for Submission
The notification specifies that the committee must submit its inquiry report to the District Magistrate Islamabad within three days. This tight deadline underscores the urgency of the investigation. Additionally, relevant departments have been instructed to ensure full cooperation with the committee, maintain security arrangements, and guarantee the availability of emergency personnel.
The Fire Incident
A massive fire broke out at the Sunday Bazaar on Tuesday night, engulfing a large number of stalls. The fire erupted in Section C of the bazaar, which mostly houses shoe stalls, and spread rapidly, prompting a large-scale emergency response. Rescue teams, police, and district administration officials rushed to the scene shortly after receiving information. The bazaar remains operational on Fridays, Tuesdays, and Sundays.
Given the intensity of the fire, the Islamabad administration sought assistance from neighbouring Rawalpindi, with additional fire engines and rescue personnel joining the operation. Preliminary reports suggest that hundreds of stalls have been badly damaged.
Recurring Fires at Itwar Bazaar
This is the fifth incident of fire at the weekly bazaar since 2017. On August 24, 2017, a massive fire broke out in Section C, gutting around 550 stalls of garments, utensils, and nimkos, while 98 other stalls in Section H and a shoe market were also damaged. On July 19, 2018, about 110 stalls in Sections E and F were completely destroyed. On October 30, 2019, at least 300 stalls in Sections D, E, and H were gutted. About 133 stalls were destroyed in a blaze on December 7, 2022. In the most recent major incident, in July 2024, nearly 700 stalls were gutted after a fire spread rapidly through the garment section following rainfall.
Context: Provincial Budget Approval
Separately, the Punjab Assembly approved demands for grants amounting to Rs270.5 billion as the government defended its budget. However, this development is unrelated to the fire incident and the inquiry committee's formation.
