KARACHI: The Judicial Commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire incident has rejected a formal request by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to become a party to the inquiry.
During the hearing on Monday, an MQM-P delegation including Dr. Farooq Sattar and Nasreen Jalil appeared before the commission with their legal team. Dr. Sattar requested the commission’s head to allow the party to join the proceedings as a stakeholder to assist the court.
Commission’s Stance
Justice Agha Faisal, while acknowledging the leaders’ presence, noted that the commission’s formal proceedings had already commenced. He informed the delegation that the current application filed via email did not meet the necessary requirements. The Justice advised the legal team to file a proper application according to the rules, stating that no immediate action could be taken on the existing request.
Allegations of Negligence
Speaking to the media after the session, Dr. Farooq Sattar expressed disappointment, claiming the party possesses strong evidence of criminal negligence and the misuse of authority regarding the building’s construction. He highlighted that structural irregularities had previously led to cases against officials. Sattar argued that as a major political stakeholder, MQM-P should be allowed to present its findings, adding that a detailed press conference would be held at 3:00 PM to address the situation.
Police Testimony and Fire Causes
The commission also recorded the statement of SSP Traffic Ejaz Sheikh, who provided critical details regarding the fire’s origin. He testified that the fire reportedly started because children were playing with matches, which quickly ignited flammable items such as blankets, clothes, and tissue-based decorative flowers.
The SSP pointed out significant safety lapses, noting that out of the plaza’s 17 gates, only 4 were open at the time. He stated that managing the gates and security guards was the responsibility of the Market Association, not the police. Regarding rescue efforts, he mentioned that while Green Line construction had narrowed the surrounding roads to 12 and 15 feet, the police managed to keep the paths clear for emergency services despite the crowds.
Next Steps
The Judicial Commission has requested the CCTV footage of the basement to verify the timeline of the smoke and the subsequent fire. The proceedings have been adjourned until February 25.
