Sindh forms committee to implement Gul Plaza fire inquiry report

KARACHI: The Sindh government has set up a high-level committee to oversee implementation of the inquiry report into the Gul Plaza fire, according to a statement issued by the Sindh Home Department.

The decision was taken on Thursday during a meeting of the provincial cabinet’s sub-committee, where the report was reviewed. The Home Department said the move was made to ‘ensure the execution of the inquiry report’ into the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre blaze in Karachi.

The fire broke out on the night of Jan 17 and took nearly two days to be completely put out. The incident left the ground-plus-three-storey Gul Plaza building devastated, with parts of the structure collapsing. More than 70 people were killed in the blaze.

Following the incident, a one-member judicial commission was constituted to investigate the matter. The commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Agha Faisal, submitted its report to the Sindh government on Tuesday.

According to the Home Department’s statement, the commission identified the causes of the fire, fixed responsibility and put forward recommendations for future action. The statement said, ‘This decision follows significant progress made after the investigation into the unfortunate fire incident at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre, Karachi.’

Committee composition and mandate

The newly formed committee will be led by Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar as convener. Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and Sindh Industries Minister Ikramullah Dharejo have been named as members, while Additional Chief Secretary of the Sindh Home Department Iqbal Memon will serve as both member and secretary.

The statement said the committee’s terms of reference include preparing a comprehensive strategy for implementation in light of the inquiry report, proposing corrective steps based on the causes and shortcomings identified in the Gul Plaza incident, and ensuring effective coordination among the relevant institutions.

The committee would also have the authority to co-opt any expert or relevant officer if required. In addition, it will monitor implementation of the report and keep the government regularly informed about progress.

Government stance

The Home Department statement quoted Lanjar as saying that the provincial government ‘is fully committed to institutional reforms, enforcement of safety standards, and ensuring accountability to prevent incidents like Gul Plaza in the future’.

He also said no negligence or lapse would be tolerated and that strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible for the fire.

Lanjar said the formation of the committee was ‘not only a significant step towards providing justice to the victims but also reflects the government’s seriousness in safeguarding the lives and property of citizens in the future’.

‘This decision follows significant progress made after the investigation into the unfortunate fire incident at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre, Karachi.

The committee’s formation comes after the judicial commission’s findings were submitted to the provincial government earlier this week, marking the next step in the official response to one of Karachi’s deadliest recent fire incidents.