Sindh govt announces judicial probe into Gul Plaza blaze

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday announced that a judicial inquiry will be conducted into the Gul Plaza fire to ascertain the facts which led to the fire tragedy. 

Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Thursday, Memon said that in order to further probe the incident and to promote departmental transparency, the government’s sub-committee decided that judicial inquiry should be conducted of the incident and in this regard a letter is sent to the Sindh High Court chief justice. 

Memon added that the SHC chief justice will be requested to appoint a serving judge to review everything and decide on it. 

Sindh cabinet sub-committee — chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and including ministers Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar — reviewed a report submitted by a two-member team.

Memon said that the meeting with the chief minister went on for four to five hours and important decisions were made in light of the commissioner and additional IG’s report.

Providing details of January 17 incident at Gul Plaza, Memon said there were between 2,000 and 2,500 people present in the building, including workers and visitors.

“As the fire broke out, many people escaped. Government employees managed to rescue them. Eighty people fell victim and were affected,” the minister added.

Sindh Senior Minister has said that Director Civil Defense South and Additional Controller Civil Defense have also been suspended. Memon said KMC Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi was removed. 

Memon said during the incident there were 2,000 to 2,500 people in the building at the time of the fire. There was a delay in the supply of water. The Civil Defense Department did not take any effective action. 

Memon said there were no proper fire extinguishing equipment in the building. 

Meanwhile, 21-page inquiry report on Gul Plaza tragedy has been released.

According to inquiry report, flower and gift shop caught fire in Gul Plaza when shop owner Naimatullah handed over shop to 11-year-old boy.

Artificial flowers caught fire after burning match box. Fire quickly engulfed entire building due to flammable materials. A shopkeeper from a neighboring shop witnessed the incident with his own eyes.

The inquiry report said leaving minor children in the care of children is considered serious negligence. The watchman turned off the electricity 5 minutes after the fire. The power outage caused panic among 2,500 people in the plaza. Unsafe electrical system also contributed to the fire.