The Judicial Commission investigating the devastating fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi has completed its inquiry and is set to present its findings to the Sindh government. Justice Agha Faisal, who headed the commission, will submit the detailed report today.
The tragic blaze erupted on the night of January 17 and raged for over 32 hours before firefighters managed to control it. The fire resulted in the deaths of more than 73 individuals. Relief teams recovered six fully intact bodies, while the remains of other victims were severely charred due to the intensity of the fire.
The government officially established the judicial commission on February 10 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The commission promptly visited the fire site on February 14 and began collecting testimonies from those affected at the Deputy Commissioner South’s office starting February 16.
Throughout the inquiry, statements were recorded from a wide range of witnesses and officials. These included the medico-legal officer, a representative from the Pakistan Infrastructure and Development Board, and the Deputy Commissioner South on February 19. On February 20, a journalist named Babar Saleem and a citizen named Danish provided their accounts.
Further testimonies were taken on February 23 from the SSP City, SSP Traffic, officials from K-Electric and Sui Gas, the municipal commissioner, and the director of civil defence. Survivors Junaid and Ali Haider gave their statements on February 25, followed by a Civil Defence Technical Instructor on February 26.
On March 5, ambulance drivers from Edhi and Chheepa services involved in rescue operations were questioned. Renowned architect Arif Hassan appeared before the commission on March 10, the same day the station officer of Fire and Rescue, Muhammad Taufeeq, testified. The senior member of the Board of Revenue also appeared in person on March 25.
The commission’s investigation extended beyond the fire itself, examining the status of the Gul Plaza land, construction details, and the regulatory approvals granted for the shopping mall. The incident highlighted major deficiencies in Karachi’s emergency response capabilities and raised urgent concerns about building safety standards and enforcement of regulations.
