Karachi police have submitted a charge sheet in the Gul Plaza fire case, implicating an 11-year-old boy, his father, and four members of the market’s management committee. The blaze, which occurred on January 17, resulted in the deaths of 72 people.
The charge sheet states the fire originated at an artificial flower shop after the shopkeeper’s underage son allegedly ignited matchsticks, which set flammable materials on fire. Notably, the judicial commission’s report investigating the incident has not yet been included in the charge sheet and will be submitted separately in due course.
The investigation officer has named six individuals as accused: 11-year-old Huzaifa, his father Naimatullah (owner of the artificial flower shop), and four officials from the Gul Plaza Management Committee—President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Muhammad Ameen, and Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramazan. All six have been declared absconders.
The report highlights the devastating impact of the fire, which claimed 72 lives, injured eight people, and destroyed 1,153 shops. Additionally, the remains of four victims remain unclaimed by their families.
The fire reportedly started in Shop No. 193, where Naimatullah allegedly left his underage son in charge. The investigation revealed that Huzaifa was playing with matchsticks and accidentally ignited the artificial flowers, leading to the fire. Both father and son have been held responsible for negligence and recklessness.
Police recorded statements from four eyewitnesses under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a judicial magistrate. One witness, a 13-year-old boy, confirmed being inside the shop when Huzaifa was playing with matchsticks shortly before the fire began. Two other witnesses supported this account, stating that Naimatullah routinely left his son in charge of the shop. Call data records also indicated that Naimatullah was not present at the shop when the fire broke out.
The charge sheet accuses the Gul Plaza management committee of negligence for allowing an underage child to operate the shop, despite being aware of it. The committee was also blamed for multiple safety lapses that worsened the tragedy.
Emergency exits and the main gates were reportedly locked after the fire started, trapping occupants inside. The management committee failed to open these gates promptly, hindering evacuation efforts. Furthermore, the building lacked sufficient fire extinguishers, a functional fire hydrant system, and emergency backup lighting.
In a significant development, the report states that after the fire began, committee President Tanveer Pasta contacted K-Electric to disconnect the electricity, plunging the building into darkness and further complicating evacuation. The committee members also failed to immediately notify the fire brigade or rescue services, with call data records showing no emergency calls were placed following the outbreak.
Forensic samples collected by a crime scene unit from Lahore were analyzed at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency. The forensic report found no evidence of explosives, confirming the fire was accidental rather than deliberate.
Since Huzaifa is a juvenile, the charge sheet against him has been filed in a juvenile court. The other accused face charges under Sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire), 322 (manslaughter), 337-H (hurt caused by rash or negligent act), 436 (mischief by fire), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Earlier, the prosecution returned the charge sheet to the investigation officer due to procedural gaps and the absence of the judicial commission’s report. However, it later permitted the submission of the charge sheet, noting that the judicial commission’s findings would be filed separately at a later date.
