KARACHI: The Sindh government has officially announced a judicial commission to probe the tragic fire at Gul Plaza, while simultaneously suspending several high-ranking officials for departmental lapses and negligence. Addressing a press conference alongside Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan and Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon clarified that the fire was not an act of arson but an accident triggered by an 11-year-old child.
Accountability and Immediate Actions
Following a Fact-Finding Committee report submitted to the Chief Minister, the provincial cabinet has taken swift administrative actions. The Director and Director General of Civil Defense have been suspended for failing to act on fire audits conducted since 2023. Additionally, the Chief Engineer (Bulk) and Chief of Hydrants at the Water Board have been removed due to delays in water supply during the emergency. A Senior Director of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has also been removed from his post for further departmental proceedings.
The investigation revealed serious irregularities in the building’s lease and layout, as Gul Plaza was found to be in violation of approved building plans. Consequently, the Anti-Corruption department has been tasked to investigate these legal violations. To ensure a completely transparent process, the Sindh government will write to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court to appoint a serving judge as the head of the judicial commission.
The Cause of Tragedy
Refuting claims of sabotage or political arson, the Information Minister and Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan stated that evidence shows the fire started accidentally. The investigation confirmed that a shop owner selling paper flowers left the premises briefly, during which an 11-year-old child playing with matches inadvertently started the fire. The blaze then spread rapidly through the air conditioning ducts. While over 2,000 people were safely evacuated from the building, the tragedy unfortunately claimed 80 precious lives.
Relief and Future Strategy
Memon criticized political opponents for “politicizing the tragedy” and clarified that the judicial probe was an independent decision by the Sindh government. He confirmed that relief checks of Rs. 10 million (1 crore) are being delivered directly to the homes of each victim’s family. In a move to prevent such disasters in the future, the Minister announced that the Chief Minister has directed all rescue agencies to be integrated under a single command center for better coordination.
