First things first, plastic pipes must not be allowed to be used inside buildings or under foundations, as indoor gas lines always require copper or steel metals in particular.
Unfortunately, however, little or no attention is paid to this key safety aspect in a large number of multi-storied buildings in various parts of Karachi. Had this safety measure was taken, the tragedy that visited the residents of a building in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area yesterday in which at least 15 people were killed and 18 others injured after a gas explosion could have been averted.
The explosion caused part of this residential building to collapse in a thickly-populated neighborhood. We must not lose sight of the fact that if a fire breaks out, plastic pipes (especially PVC and PEX) can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and hazardous chemicals like hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide.
However, it needs to be emphasized that specialized, repeat specialized, plastic pipes are not unsafe for underground gas. Be that as it may, the civic authorities are required to a draw a lesson or two from this tragedy with a view to stepping up their efforts aimed at implementing fire safety protocols in this city of teeming millions as early as possible.
Naseer Ghauri (Karachi)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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