Sindh Governor Demands Judicial Probe into Gul Plaza Tragedy, Announces Letter to Chief Justice

Karachi: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has strongly criticized the provincial government over the Gul Plaza tragedy and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. He also announced that he would write letters to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court, offering to present himself before the commission.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Governor Tessori said that fires are not extinguished after two hours and require immediate action. He stated that he reached Gul Plaza within two hours, tended to the injured, called rescue agencies, arranged water supplies, and helped restore traffic flow. He questioned why blame was being placed on him for reaching the site, while those actually responsible were absent. “It must be made clear whose hands are stained with this blood,” he said.

Criticizing political opponents, the governor said that public resentment was growing among the people of Karachi due to extreme insensitivity, yet no one seemed to be paying attention. He demanded that those responsible for the tragedy be identified and punished immediately.

Governor Tessori reiterated his call for a judicial inquiry and announced that he would write to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, adding that he was ready to appear before the commission himself. Addressing the Chief Minister of Sindh, he said that perhaps the correct facts were not being conveyed, questioning why government machinery had failed and why baton charges were carried out on the sons of victims.

He vowed not to allow political point-scoring over the tragedy and said the case file would not be closed. Warning against politicization, he said he would expose everything if forced to do so, adding that he would reveal the truth in his next press conference.

The governor further stated that he would not allow criminal negligence by the administration to be covered up. He said he would appeal to the “Field Marshal” to look into the injustices faced by Karachi, and expressed hope that President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Asifa Bhutto Zardari could ensure justice for the victims’ families.

Governor Kamran Tessori also announced the provision of one residential plot each to the families of those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy.