KARACHI: In a move aimed at uncovering the truth behind the devastating Gul Plaza fire, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered a formal judicial investigation into the incident.
An official statement confirmed that the court has established a judicial commission to examine the causes and circumstances of the tragic blaze. The decision, endorsed by the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, marks the official start of judicial proceedings related to the event.
Justice Agha Faisal has been appointed to lead the inquiry as a single-member commission. His task will be to identify the factors that led to the fire and to assign responsibility for any negligence or violations that may have contributed to the catastrophe.
The investigation will be conducted under Section 3 of the Sindh Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, according to official correspondence. The commission has been empowered to thoroughly scrutinize all aspects that triggered the fire and to hold accountable those found responsible.
Officials emphasized that the formation of the judicial panel aims to promote transparency, ensure accountability, and address public outrage over the incident.
The letter from the Sindh government states that the duration of the inquiry will be determined by the court, with Justice Agha Faisal overseeing the investigation and presenting his findings within that timeframe.
The fire at Gul Plaza, located on M.A. Jinnah Road, erupted on the night of Saturday, January 17. The blaze consumed the building for over 32 hours, highlighting deficiencies in Karachi’s emergency response capabilities.
Rescue efforts involved support from the Army, Rangers, and civil authorities, who worked tirelessly to locate and rescue trapped individuals. Families of the victims coordinated with authorities at help desks and DNA collection centers while engineers assessed the structural damage of the building, which remains unsafe for occupancy.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for an independent inquiry and increased accountability from officials and building management.
