ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Fire erupted in Press Information Department (PID) located at Benevolent Fund Building, near Zero Point in Islamabad on Wednesday (Fire at PID Building).
Sources said that fire broke out at Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications (DEMP) in PID. However, the reason behind the fire is yet to be known.
They said that fire might cause damage to DEMP property and also turn important official documents into ashes. However, according to the Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who visited PID, “All record is safe”.
Talking to media, the information minister also said that an Inquiry Committee has been formed to to ascertain the causes of fire. He said that archives of PID are being digitalized for their preservation.
اسلام آباد:وزیر اطلاعات چوہدری فواد حسین کی میڈیا سے بات چیت
بروقت کارروائی سے آگ پر قابو پا لیا گیا ہے
اللہ کاشکرہے کوئی جانی نقصان نہیں ہوا
پی آئی ڈی کاریکارڈمحفوظ ہے
تحقیقات کیلئے کمیٹی بنادی گئی ہے@fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/if6RoKFkEX— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 24, 2018
The Information Secretary Shafqat Jalil told media that it will be too early to predict about the cause of fire and the damage done by it.
Soon after the fire broke out, all staff members were evacuated from the building. Four fire brigades reached the scene and engaged themselves in extinguishing the fire.
Meanwhile, thick smoke continued to rise for hours from top floor of the burning building.
Fire at PID Building
It is worth noting that the ministers address the Press Conferences in PID, which is surrounded by important government departments as well as newspapers offices including Associate Press of Pakistan (APP).
