In the ongoing investigation into the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, a senior rescue official has identified the decision to cut off electricity as a crucial error that exacerbated the disaster. On Tuesday, Wajid Sibghatullah, Director General of Rescue 1122, addressed the judicial commission probing the incident, emphasizing that the power shutdown significantly increased the damage and loss of life during the blaze.
Speaking both to the commission and the media, Sibghatullah explained that the fire, which ignited at approximately 10:10 PM on January 17, was reported to Rescue 1122 much later than it should have been. This delay in notification hampered the agency’s ability to respond promptly and effectively. He stressed that had the emergency services been alerted immediately, many lives trapped inside the commercial complex could have been saved.
Further elaborating on the challenges faced by Rescue 1122, Sibghatullah highlighted the agency’s limited resources, particularly the absence of heavy machinery necessary for complex rescue operations in a densely packed urban environment like Karachi. This shortfall, he noted, severely restricted their capacity to manage large-scale emergencies such as the Gul Plaza fire.
The fire itself broke out late on the night of Saturday, January 17, engulfing the multi-story shopping center located on the busy M.A. Jinnah Road. The inferno raged uncontrollably for more than 32 hours before firefighters could finally bring it under control. The prolonged blaze exposed significant vulnerabilities within the city’s emergency response framework, raising serious questions about preparedness and coordination among various agencies.
During an early session of the inquiry commission, Tanveer Pasta, president of the Gul Plaza Association, appeared to provide testimony regarding the building’s operational protocols. When questioned about the official closing hours of the plaza, Pasta stated that on typical weekdays, the complex usually shuts down between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM. On Saturdays, the closing time extends slightly, ranging from 10:30 PM to 11:00 PM. He added that no formal authority had ever mandated a strict closing time, allowing some flexibility in operations.
The commission also inquired about the process of closing the plaza’s entrances. Pasta explained that the gates begin to close starting from Gate No. 1 around 10:30 PM, with the entire procedure taking roughly 20 minutes to complete. On Saturdays, this process starts a bit later, at 10:45 PM, and the ramp closure occurs around 11:30 PM, reflecting the extended hours on weekends.
Regarding security measures, Pasta revealed that some digital video recorders (DVRs) were salvaged from the rubble after the building partially collapsed. He noted that the CCTV system had been recently upgraded, with approximately 280 cameras installed throughout the premises, including two key locations such as the security room in the basement. This extensive surveillance network was intended to enhance safety and monitoring within the plaza.
When asked about the building’s layout, Pasta described the main corridors as being between six and eight feet wide, while the mezzanine corridors measured around ten feet in width. He also confirmed that the plaza housed a total of 1,153 shops, all leased out, although he clarified that he was not involved in the original construction of the building.
The inquiry into the Gul Plaza fire continues to shed light on the factors that contributed to the scale of the tragedy. The testimonies and findings underscore the urgent need for improved emergency preparedness, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and enhanced coordination among rescue agencies to prevent such disasters in the future.
