Massive Fire engulfs Islamabad’s H-9 Sunday Bazaar, leaving dozens of shops destroyed

ISLAMABAD – A massive fire broke out once again at Sunday Bazaar located in Sector H-9, Islamabad, triggering panic among traders and visitors. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from the market, visible from several parts of the federal capital. ایچ نائن بازار اسلام آباد میں آگ بھڑک اٹھی#islamabad pic.twitter.com/f Mpc VSG2Am — Luqman shah | لقمان شاہ (@luqmanshah2006) June 23, 2026 According to initial reports, more than 70 shops have been reduced to ashes, while the intensity of the fire continued to spread through the densely packed market stalls. Firefighters from Islamabad’s emergency services rushed to the scene and launched an operation to contain the blaze. Due to the scale of the fire, additional Rescue and Fire Brigade vehicles were called in from Rawalpindi to assist in firefighting efforts. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the fire. However, the incident has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety measures at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar, which has witnessed multiple major fire incidents over the years. The latest fire has placed the livelihoods of hundreds of families at risk, with traders facing losses worth millions of rupees. Business owners expressed frustration over the repeated occurrence of such disasters, questioning why effective and permanent fire prevention measures have not been implemented despite previous incidents causing billions of rupees in damages. Rescue officials are continuing efforts to bring the fire fully under control and prevent it from spreading to nearby sections of the market. No casualties have been officially reported so far, though authorities are assessing the situation. The recurring fires at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar have reignited public debate over market safety standards, emergency preparedness, electrical infrastructure, and the enforcement of preventive measures to protect traders and customers. Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue and investigations