A judicial commission tasked with investigating the devastating fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi convened on Friday to review the latest developments in the inquiry. During this session, the Saddar Gul Plaza Association formally submitted its written responses to the commission’s detailed questionnaire, shedding light on several operational aspects of the building prior to the incident.
However, the association’s submission revealed significant gaps, notably the absence of title documentation for the shops housed within the plaza. This lack of formal ownership records raises questions about the regulatory oversight and legal compliance of businesses operating in the complex. Despite this, the association did provide financial details, confirming that it had collected a sum of Rs1,500 from each shopkeeper, which was reportedly allocated for repair and maintenance activities within the building.
In a candid admission, the association acknowledged that it functioned without official registration from any government authority, highlighting a potential lapse in administrative governance. Moreover, their written statement disclosed that the building’s doors were occasionally kept locked based on directives from the association’s president, a factor that could have had serious implications during the fire emergency.
Turning to the fire department’s role, the commission’s chairperson issued a formal directive to the city’s chief fire officer, demanding comprehensive records related to the Gul Plaza fire incident. This request includes the fire call logs, detailed logbooks of fire brigade vehicles deployed during the event, and certified copies of all pertinent documentation. The timeframe for these records spans from January 17 to January 21, encompassing the days immediately before and after the fire.
The commission has set a firm deadline of March 16 for the submission of all requested documents, emphasizing the importance of these records in piecing together the sequence of events and assessing the response effectiveness. This step is crucial as the investigation continues to unravel the causes and accountability surrounding the tragic fire that impacted Gul Plaza, a commercial hub in Karachi’s Saddar area.
As the inquiry progresses, the judicial commission aims to establish a clear understanding of the regulatory, safety, and emergency response failures that may have contributed to the disaster. The findings will likely influence future policies on building safety standards and fire prevention measures in Karachi and beyond.
