KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Thursday announced that a judicial inquiry will be conducted into the deadly Gul Plaza fire, as a provincial cabinet sub-committee identified serious lapses by multiple departments and ordered suspensions and disciplinary action.
Addressing a press conference, Memon said a letter would be sent to the Sindh High Court (SHC) chief justice, requesting the appointment of a serving judge to “review everything and decide on it,” in the interest of transparency and accountability.
The decision was taken by a cabinet sub-committee chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, comprising ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani and Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, after reviewing reports submitted by the commissioner and the additional inspector general.
Memon said the sub-committee found that the Civil Defence department had conducted fire safety audits of Gul Plaza and other buildings since 2023, but failed to take effective corrective or legal action despite identifying serious shortcomings. As a result, the Civil Defence director and the South district additional controller were suspended, with departmental proceedings initiated against them.
He said Gul Plaza’s management had twice been issued notices warning of inadequate fire safety arrangements, but no compliance followed. “If negligence by any other official or higher authority is established, they too will be suspended,” he added.
The sub-committee also noted a delay in the supply of water to fire tenders, which hampered rescue operations. Consequently, the chief engineer (bulk) and hydrants’ incharge of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) were suspended, while further action may follow against senior officials if negligence is proven.
Memon revealed that KMC Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi was removed on the first day of the incident. He added that while the KMC Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122 showed bravery under difficult conditions — noting the death of firefighter Furqan Shaukat — their equipment, training and preparedness were found to be inadequate. The KMC municipal services senior director was also suspended for failing to ensure staff preparedness.
Providing details of the incident, Memon said between 2,000 and 2,500 people were present in the building when the fire broke out on January 17, and around 80 people were affected despite rescue efforts.
He announced that all relevant departments would immediately carry out a needs assessment covering equipment, training, manpower and infrastructure, with deadlines to strengthen firefighting and rescue capabilities. He said the chief minister was working to bring Rescue 1122, the KMC Fire Brigade and Civil Defence under a unified framework to improve coordination and resources.
The sub-committee further found that Gul Plaza’s management lacked adequate firefighting systems and had violated the approved building plan, limiting rescue options and endangering public safety. Their role, along with discrepancies in leases and approvals issued by the Sindh Building Control Authority and KMC over several decades, will be scrutinised. The anti-corruption department has been directed to investigate and take legal action where warranted.
Memon said the government had acknowledged its own mistakes and rejected politicisation of the tragedy. “We are answerable to the public, not to any political party,” he said, adding that compensation had been provided to affected families.
Additional IG Azad Khan told reporters that the fire originated in a flower shop and was accidental, triggered when children playing with matches ignited combustible material. “We ruled out arson and found no other cause,” he said.
Calling the incident a major tragedy, Memon said the government was determined to ensure transparency and accountability. “This is about 80 precious lives, and we will not allow negligence to go unanswered,” he said.
