Zubair Qureshi
Massive fire broke out in Islamabad’s Talhar area bordering the National University of Science & Technology , H-12’s green belts and Srinagar Highway.
This is the fourth such incident in two months when it broke out in the forests of Islamabad and it took the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) fire brigade tankers hours to extinguish fire.
Federal Minister for Environment Sherry Rehman while responding to the fire incident commented while fires were being fought all over the Margallas including other sectors and on several sites including the NUST. “Unprecedented heat wave is leaving its mark and people must not leave heaps of dry leaves, bushes too. These are tinder boxes for fires,” said she in a tweet.
According to CDA sources, fire broke out in three different areas of the federal capital including the Margalla Hills, NUST and the area bordering Srinagar Highway.
Though fire incurred heavy loss on the green belts and plants and trees in the areas, yet no casualty was reported so far.
According to the CDA spokesperson, fire was controlled as five vehicles of the fire brigade department took part in the operation. It is now completely under control inside and outside the NUST, he said.
Taking notice of the forest fire inside the federal capital, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Capital Development Authority Chairman to hold an inquiry into the incident and send an emergency rescue and firefighting team to ensure safety of the area and the residents.
The premier stressed immediate steps to evacuate the people from the affected area and directed the mobilization of the fire brigade on an urgent basis immediately to douse the fire.
The prime minister also urged the Ministry of Climate Change to present a comprehensive strategy to prevent such incidents in Islamabad and Margalla hills in future.
This is the fourth such incident in two months when fire broke out in the capital’s forests and rescue teams found them struggling to put it out.
The news of the fire panicked the students as well as the parents and staff of the NUST who could be seen running from one corner to the other calling their dear ones and inquiring about their safety and security. Though fire was spreading rapidly due to gusty wind, yet the university and its buildings remained safe for being quite at a distance from the fire.
