Karachi: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday announced that the provincial government has decided to conduct a judicial inquiry into the deadly Gul Plaza fire, which claimed 80 lives in Karachi.
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Addressing a press conference, Memon said the government would write to the chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) to request the appointment of a serving judge to head a judicial commission probing the incident.
The massive blaze, Karachi’s worst in more than a decade, erupted on January 17 and rapidly engulfed the sprawling Gul Plaza shopping complex, home to around 1,200 family-run shops selling wedding garments, toys, crockery and other goods.
Memon, who also holds the information portfolio, strongly criticised Civil Defence officials for negligence, saying the director and South District additional controller failed to report violations or take appropriate action despite repeated inspections. Both officials have since been suspended.
He revealed that Gul Plaza management had been issued two notices following fire safety audits, warning of inadequate emergency arrangements. However, the recommendations were never implemented.
“The committee formed under the leadership of the Karachi commissioner has submitted a comprehensive fact-finding report, including interviews of all relevant individuals,” Memon said, adding that a Sindh cabinet sub-committee had reviewed the findings earlier in the day during a meeting chaired by the chief minister.
According to the report, between 2,000 and 2,500 people were inside the building at the time of the fire. Memon said Gul Plaza underwent safety audits on two occasions, but compliance was never ensured. Civil Defence teams had inspected the premises multiple times since 2023 and issued notices, he added.
Emphasising transparency, the senior minister said the government wanted the inquiry to meet the highest standards and acknowledged administrative shortcomings highlighted in the fact-finding report. “Where responsibility is established, legal action will be taken,” he said.
Memon also confirmed that compensation payments to the families of the victims had begun.
Rejecting claims of political pressure, he said the decision to form a judicial commission was taken independently. “We are answerable to the public, not to political parties,” he said, adding that the government would not accept any external pressure.
He further disclosed that the provincial government was considering placing the fire brigade, Civil Defence and rescue services under a unified command to improve emergency response in the future.
Following the press conference, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah formally wrote to the Sindh High Court chief justice, requesting a judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza tragedy.
