KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that a judicial commission will conduct an official investigation into the Gul Plaza fire incident, which claimed 80 lives. Information Minister Sharjeel Memon stated that the probe will be free from political pressure and any negligence or wrongdoing will be addressed through proper legal channels.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan and Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Memon said that the fire was not deliberately set. “The fire started from an 11-year-old child, and strong evidence supports this,” he added.
He explained that following the tragedy, a special cabinet meeting formed a subcommittee, and the Chief Minister had earlier established a fact-finding committee. After reviewing the committee’s report, key decisions were made regarding accountability and preventive measures.
Memon said that at the time of the fire, 2,000–2,500 people were present in Gul Plaza. While many evacuated safely, 80 lives were lost. He added that multiple fire audits conducted since 2023 were not acted upon by the district administration, prompting the suspension of the Director and Director General of Civil Defense. Anyone else found involved will also face punishment.
Highlighting administrative lapses, Memon stated that water supply delays by the Water Board and negligence by Chief Engineer Blocks and Chief Hydrants were noted, and departmental actions have been initiated. The Senior Director of KMC will also face departmental proceedings. Efforts are underway to bring all rescue agencies under a unified command as per the CM’s instructions.
The minister confirmed that Gul Plaza lacked a fire-fighting system and was constructed in violation of approved building plans. Any proven negligence by the union or leaseholders will result in action, with the Anti-Corruption Department tasked to investigate serious irregularities in the lease process.
He announced that the judicial commission will be headed by a sitting High Court judge, and the Sindh government will formally request the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court to appoint the commission.
Memon emphasized that while political parties have tried to exploit the tragedy, the government has already provided financial aid of one crore per affected household, highlighting transparency and accountability. He stressed that the judicial inquiry will determine the guilty parties, and the public should refrain from drawing conclusions before the report is submitted.
On a question about the fire’s origin, he said that evidence shows it started from an 11-year-old child with a match, and blame games are unnecessary.
Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan also confirmed that the fire was accidental, not deliberate. “The shop owner had stepped out, and during that time, a child’s match caused the fire,” he said.
Sharjeel Memon reiterated that the judicial commission was established independently by the Sindh government and not at the demand of any political party, including MQM.
He urged political groups not to politicize the tragedy and allowed them to hold demonstrations if they wished, without interfering with the inquiry.
This announcement marks a major step toward transparency and accountability following one of Karachi’s deadliest fires in recent history.
