Sindh Government Orders Judicial Commission to Probe Gul Plaza Tragedy, Confirms Fire Started Accidentally by 11-Year-Old

Karachi: The Sindh government has announced that the investigation into the Gul Plaza tragedy will be conducted through a judicial commission. Information Minister Sharjeel Memon emphasized that the probe will be independent, free from political influence, and based on facts, confirming that no one intentionally set the fire and that the blaze started from an 11-year-old child.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Karachi Police Chief Izad Khan and Commissioner Hasan Naqvi, Memon stated that a special cabinet meeting was held following the incident, and a fact-finding committee had submitted its report. Based on this report, the provincial government has taken significant administrative and legal decisions.

Memon said that at the time of the fire, around 2,500 people were present in the building. While many were able to evacuate, 80 lives were tragically lost. Following the cabinet committee’s review, multiple fire audits were conducted between 2023-2025 by the Civil Defense Department. However, no timely actions were taken, and the district administration failed to report this to the government, leading to the suspension of the Director and Director-General of Civil Defense.

He further noted that delays in water supply were reported from the Water Board. Accordingly, Chief Engineer Blocks and Chief Hydrants have been removed, and departmental action has been initiated. Senior officials at the Municipal Corporation will also face administrative action.

Sharjeel Memon revealed that Gul Plaza lacked a functional firefighting system, and the building was found in violation of approved plans. Any negligence by the unions or authorities involved in the leasing process will be dealt with by anti-corruption authorities.

The minister confirmed that the judicial investigation will be headed by a sitting High Court judge, with the Sindh government writing to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court to formally appoint the commission. He stressed that the inquiry will ensure transparency and accountability, with compensation checks already being delivered to victims’ families.

Memon strongly criticized political parties for attempting to politicize the tragedy and reiterated that the government will not yield to political pressure. He urged the public to allow the judicial commission to conduct its work and refrain from drawing conclusions prematurely.

On questions regarding the fire’s origin, Memon and Additional IG Karachi Izad Khan clarified that the fire accidentally started when an 11-year-old child held a matchstick, which ignited paper decorations while the shop owner was away. Strong evidence supports this explanation, and the findings will be submitted in court when requested.

Memon concluded by stating that the judicial commission has been constituted independently by the Sindh government and is not the result of demands from any political party, including MQM.