The Punjab government has completed its inquiry into the devastating explosion at a chemical factory in Malikpur, confirming that the blast was triggered by a gas cylinder leak and short circuit, not a boiler explosion as initially feared.
The tragedy, which has claimed 20 lives so far, has exposed alarming safety lapses, illegal operations, and deep administrative negligence in the industrial zone.
A four-member committee led by the Punjab chief boiler inspector submitted the preliminary report after visiting the blast site and examining evidence.
Inquiry finds explosion caused by gas leak, short circuit
According to the official report, the factory — a gel manufacturing unit — had no boiler installed, contradicting early speculation.
Instead, investigators found large quantities of highly flammable materials stored inside, cylinder gas leaking near an area where chemicals were being mixed and a short circuit that ignited the chemicals, triggering a “powerful explosion”.
The blast was so severe that it also damaged nearby buildings, with debris scattered across the residential colony adjacent to the factory.
Officials said carelessness and untrained staff directly contributed to the disaster.
Massive safety violations uncovered
The report reveals extensive violations:
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The factory was operating with no NOC
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Chemical stocks were kept without proper checks
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A residential colony was located inside the industrial zone, uninspected and unapproved
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The Labour Department had not conducted inspections for years
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Many factories in Faisalabad are reportedly running without any legal authorization
The deputy commissioner acknowledged a wider crisis, confirming that 65,000 industrial units are functioning inside residential areas — a red flag for future disasters.
Multiple arrests made; terrorism case registered
Police have arrested four suspects, including the factory owner and manager. In total, seven individuals have been booked under terrorism and other relevant sections.
Authorities confirmed that the factory owner had also been taken into custody for operating the facility without legal compliance or safety measures.
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Investigators added that the owner's statement could not be recorded earlier due to his “unavailability.”
Meanwhile, the human tragedy deepens as survivors say they have been left without government support.
Families who lost loved ones and homes said they spent nights under the open sky, struggling through cold weather after the explosion leveled their houses.
“No government representative has come,” victims complained, adding that formalities by the district administration offer little relief for the grieving and displaced.
There have been no further arrests, and residents are now demanding cases against district administration officers whose negligence, they claim, enabled the illegal factory’s operations.
Committee composition and site inspection
The inquiry committee included the Punjab chief boiler inspector as head, the industry DO, chief inspector boiler and the Faisalabad boiler engineer.
Members visited the accident site, reviewed chemical storage conditions, assessed electrical wiring, and examined the blast radius before finalizing their findings.
