LAHORE: In response to a series of tragic incidents, Yawar Mehdi, founder of the Civil Services Legacy Guild and former Chief Comptroller at the Chief Minister’s Office in Punjab, has urged a move towards “Preventive Governance” to address persistent structural and administrative failures in Pakistan’s public sector. According to Chief Minister of Punjab, Mehdi’s remarks come in the wake of a devastating fire at the PIMS Hospital in Islamabad, which resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns due to a short circuit and other safety lapses.

Mehdi highlighted that systemic negligence extends beyond this incident, referencing past tragedies, including fires at Gul Plaza and the National Institute of Child Health in Karachi, as well as the Lahore Development Authority Plaza. He cited alarming statistics, noting that over 70 percent of public places in Pakistan have substandard electrical wiring, while more than 60 percent of buildings lack certified emergency exits.

In his call to action, Mehdi proposed a comprehensive framework focusing on accident prevention, emergency preparedness, and regular safety training. He called for a nationwide campaign titled “Safety 1st,” to be implemented in educational institutions and supported by social media and rescue organizations. Mehdi emphasized that governance should proactively identify risks and rectify them before incidents occur, rather than responding reactively.

Mehdi criticized the double standards in enforcing safety regulations between private and public institutions and questioned the role of charitable organizations and NGOs, urging them to contribute more effectively to public safety efforts. He proposed a 90-day action plan under the leadership of Dr. Rizwan Naseer of Rescue 1122 to conduct fire audits and ensure safety compliance in public and private sectors.

Concluding his remarks, Mehdi stressed the need for relevant government ministries and secretaries to assume their legal and moral responsibilities. He urged that lessons from past tragedies be learned to prevent future occurrences, invoking a sacred verse from the Quran to underscore the value of saving lives.