Pakistan, June 24 -- A massive fire tore through Islamabad's H-9 Sasta Bazaar, destroying nearly 500 stalls and causing estimated losses of around Rs100 million. The blaze spread rapidly across nine sections of the market, leaving hundreds of traders helpless as flames consumed shops, merchandise and years of hard-earned investment. The disaster has once again highlighted concerns about safety arrangements and emergency preparedness at one of the capital's busiest marketplaces.

The latest incident marks the fourth major fire at the market in the past five years, intensifying frustration among traders who say repeated disasters have failed to bring meaningful reforms. Many affected shopkeepers questioned why previous inquiry findings were...