KARACHI: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has formally requested the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) to establish a judicial commission to probe the devastating Gul Plaza fire. In a letter addressed to SHC Chief Justice, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, the Governor emphasized the need for a transparent, independent, and credible inquiry into the incident that occurred on January 17, 2026. The fire resulted in 79 fatalities, causing widespread public concern and grief.
Governor’s Stance on Accountability Governor Tessori highlighted that the gravity of the incident demands a high-level investigation to determine the root cause, identify administrative negligence, and fix individual or institutional responsibility. He stated that a judicial inquiry will not only ensure accountability but also help in formulating safety measures to prevent such catastrophes in the future, adding that a court-led investigation is essential to restore public confidence and ensure justice.
Commissioner Karachi’s Final Report Simultaneously, the inquiry committee—comprising Commissioner Karachi and the Additional IG—has finalized its investigative report to be presented to Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah. According to sources, the report provides a timeline of the incident, noting that the fire broke out at 10:15 PM, the Fire Brigade was informed at 10:26 PM, and the first fire tender arrived at the scene by 10:37 PM, exactly 11 minutes after the call.
Preliminary Findings The report suggests that the blaze originated in a flower shop on the ground floor. Sources claim the investigation points toward children present in the shop playing with matches or a lighter, which ignited the initial fire that eventually engulfed the entire building. The report confirms that out of the 79 deaths, the majority occurred on the mezzanine floor of the plaza. Despite these findings, the report reportedly stops short of explicitly naming high-level officials for criminal negligence.
