73 people died, but Judicial findings remain secret despite mounting public and political pressure
Fire at the Gul Plaza. PHOTO: XINHUA
KARACHI:
The judicial commission formed to investigate the Gul Plaza tragedy has submitted its report to the Government of Sindh; however, despite its completion, the findings have not yet been made public for unknown reasons.
According to official sources, the report highlights not only the lack of fire safety arrangements at Gul Plaza but also identifies several factors that hindered rescue operations. These included encroachments around the building, routine traffic congestion on M.A. Jinnah Road, and ongoing construction work of the Green Line project in front of the building, all of which obstructed emergency response efforts.
The nearest KMC fire station, located in Saddar, is only five minutes away from Gul Plaza. However, due to traffic congestion, encroachments, and Green Line construction, even the first fire tender took considerable time to reach the site.
The Gul Plaza tragedy occurred on January 17, 2026, resulting in dozens of deaths. Initially, the Sindh government appointed the Commissioner of Karachi to conduct the inquiry, and a preliminary report was prepared. However, political and social circles rejected it and pressured the government to establish a judicial commission for such a major incident. Consequently, on February 10, the Sindh government formed a judicial commission headed by Sindh High Court judge Justice Agha Faisal.
The commission completed its work and submitted a detailed report to the Sindh Law Department on April 7, leaving the decision to make it public or not to the discretion of the Sindh government.
On April 9, a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah resulted in the formation of a committee comprising three provincial ministers—Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, and Jam Ikramullah Dharejo—to implement the report’s recommendations. The committee has been tasked with introducing immediate and comprehensive reforms for building safety in Karachi and conducting fire safety audits of commercial buildings across the province.
Read More: Govt rolls up sleeves for Gul Plaza rebuild
According to the Chief Minister House spokesperson, if new legislation is required regarding fire safety in commercial buildings, a bill will be presented in the upcoming session of the Sindh Assembly.
Urban planning expert Farhan Anwar stated that the report on the Gul Plaza tragedy should be made public. “While such reports are often delayed, they should eventually be disclosed,” implored Anwar.
Meanwhile, MQM-Pakistan Deputy Parliamentary Leader Taha Ahmed Khan emphasized that the judicial commission’s report should be released immediately. “This is not merely a procedural matter but a matter of human lives. People were burned alive, families were destroyed, and those who lost their loved ones have the right to know what happened and who is responsible. Keeping the report confidential creates the impression that the Sindh government failed seriously in preventing the tragedy,” said Khan.
Sindh government spokesperson Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani told the Express Tribune that a ministerial committee formed by the Sindh cabinet is reviewing the report in detail. “The report will be made public after the committee’s recommendations. The committee has also been mandated to develop a comprehensive strategy and propose corrective measures based on the findings of the inquiry report,” claimed Hemnani.
