The ongoing judicial commission probing the devastating Gul Plaza fire in Karachi has brought to light several alarming issues that may have contributed to the scale of the tragedy. During a detailed session held on Tuesday, the commission uncovered that electrical inspections of buildings across Karachi have been officially prohibited since 2003, raising serious concerns about safety oversight in the city’s commercial structures.
Electric Inspector Pervez Ahmed, who appeared before the commission, presented an official notification confirming that the Department of Irrigation and Energy had imposed a ban on electrical inspections nearly two decades ago. This revelation has sparked intense debate about regulatory lapses and the potential negligence that might have allowed hazardous electrical conditions to persist unchecked in buildings like Gul Plaza.
When questioned about the last time Gul Plaza underwent an electrical safety check, Inspector Ahmed admitted he was unaware, citing his recent appointment just six months prior and a lack of records regarding previous inspections. This gap in institutional memory and documentation highlights systemic weaknesses in Karachi’s building safety management, especially for older commercial complexes.
Adding to the concerns, the Director General of Rescue 1122 provided a candid assessment of the emergency response during the incident. He disclosed that Rescue 1122 operates with limited resources and primarily offers backup support to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). He revealed that the emergency call reporting the fire reached Rescue 1122 with a delay of approximately 20 to 25 minutes, significantly hampering timely intervention efforts.
Furthermore, the DG lamented the absence of essential heavy rescue equipment such as snorkels, aerial ladders, and excavators within Rescue 1122’s fleet. The lack of these critical tools severely restricted the rescue teams’ ability to access upper floors and safely evacuate trapped individuals, resulting in missed opportunities to save lives during the blaze.
These disclosures have intensified public scrutiny over Karachi’s disaster preparedness and regulatory enforcement, prompting calls for urgent reforms. The Gul Plaza tragedy has thus not only exposed infrastructural vulnerabilities but also underscored the pressing need for enhanced coordination among city agencies to prevent such calamities in the future.
