The judicial commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire tragedy has identified significant negligence by several institutions involved in the incident. The report highlights a lack of proactive engagement by the district administration during the crisis, raising serious concerns about their role in managing the emergency.
Notably, the inquiry criticized the failure to act on fire safety recommendations issued in 2023, which mandated a review of the mall’s safety measures. Despite these warnings, no inspection was conducted, and the building management neglected to implement essential fire safety protocols.
In a significant development, the fire brigade department, although equipped with necessary resources, did not perform effectively. The report points out that fire tenders arrived at the scene but failed to use smoke ejectors, which could have mitigated the fire’s impact. Additionally, rescue personnel from 1122 reached the site late, and the Civil Defence department did not fulfill its primary responsibilities during the emergency.
The Water and Sewerage Corporation also came under scrutiny for not supplying water to the fire brigade promptly. In fact, water supply was reportedly suspended on the day of the fire, severely hampering firefighting efforts. Furthermore, the commission revealed a complete breakdown in communication between key city institutions, which further complicated the response.
The devastating fire erupted on the night of January 17 and raged for over 32 hours before being brought under control. It claimed the lives of more than 73 people, with relief workers recovering only six intact bodies; the rest were found as charred remains due to the intensity of the blaze.
The judicial commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, was established by the government on February 10 to investigate the incident thoroughly. The commission has now completed its inquiry and is set to submit its detailed report to the Sindh government, outlining the failures and recommending measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
