Access routes were cleared promptly during Gul Plaza fire, DC tells judicial commission

KARACHI: The district administration has informed the Gul Plaza judicial commission that while the ongoing Green Line extension project has caused traffic congestion on M.A. Jinnah Road near the ill-fated building, no permanent encroachments or municipal work were found to have blocked access for emergency response vehicles during the deadly fire incident.

Deputy commissioner's reply to the commission

South District Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso filed a reply and statement in response to a questionnaire issued by the commission, which is headed by Justice Agha Faisal of the Sindh High Court. In his submission, the deputy commissioner maintained that temporary obstructions caused by traffic congestion were promptly cleared to ensure access routes remained open for fire tenders and rescue units.

According to the reply, the district administration received information about the fire at 10:27pm on January 17. The deputy commissioner stated that he had reached the spot by 10:30pm and remained present throughout to oversee and coordinate inter-departmental response and facilitation efforts.

Coordination with fire brigade

The reply further noted that coordination was initiated with the fire brigade as part of the emergency response. The DC's statement to the judicial commission sought to address concerns about whether the Green Line construction work and related obstructions on M.A. Jinnah Road had hampered the rescue operation at Gul Plaza.

The deputy commissioner's account emphasised the speed of the administration's response, noting that he personally arrived at the scene within three minutes of being informed about the blaze. His statement underscored that while the Green Line extension project had contributed to traffic congestion in the area, the temporary obstructions did not permanently prevent emergency vehicles from reaching the site.

The Gul Plaza judicial commission, constituted under Justice Agha Faisal, has been examining various aspects of the fire incident, including the adequacy and timeliness of the emergency response, as well as any structural or logistical factors that may have contributed to the tragedy. The commission has been soliciting responses from relevant government departments and officials as part of its inquiry.