KARACHI: The Sindh government has issued an official notification to establish an inquiry commission to investigate the tragic fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, following directives from the provincial home minister.
Justice Agha Faisal has been appointed to lead the commission, which will conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident. According to Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the inquiry will examine the building’s construction approvals, lease legality, and compliance with approved plans.
The commission will also assess violations related to the building structure, obstruction of emergency exits, shortcomings in firefighting arrangements, and the status of fire safety audits. Additionally, it will investigate the cause of the fire, surrounding circumstances, and the efficiency and timing of rescue operations.
The inquiry report is expected to be completed within eight weeks. The Karachi commissioner has been instructed to provide full secretariat support to the commission.
The home minister emphasized that the Sindh government is committed to ensuring justice for those affected by the incident. The judicial inquiry was ordered by the Sindh High Court following the deadly blaze.
The fire erupted late on Saturday night, January 17, at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road. The commercial building was engulfed in flames for more than 32 hours, trapping dozens of people inside and resulting in multiple fatalities and significant property damage. The incident highlighted serious gaps in Karachi’s emergency response and fire safety systems.
