KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Sindh government has announced a judicial commission to investigate the deadly Gul Plaza fire that claimed 79 lives, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Thursday.
The provincial administration will write a formal letter to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) requesting a probe into the incident.
Speaking at a press conference, Sharjeel Memon stated that the tragic fire at Gul Plaza resulted in significant loss of human life. Following the incident, the Sindh Cabinet formed a committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire. At the time of the blaze, between 2,000 and 2,500 people were reportedly inside the building. Notably, Gul Plaza had undergone safety audits twice before the incident.
Officials suspended
Memon revealed that the Director of Civil Defence and the Additional Control Officer of Civil Defence, South District, have been immediately suspended. Departmental proceedings under relevant laws have been initiated against them. Delays in water supply reportedly hampered the efforts of firefighters. Consequently, the Chief Engineers responsible for hydrants were also suspended, and departmental action will follow.
Water supply failures
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board’s (KWSB) hydrant in-charge was suspended after delays in providing water affected firefighting operations. The Director of Civil Defence for South District was also suspended in response to operational lapses.
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Memon emphasised that the government would not succumb to any political pressure. He confirmed that a letter will be sent to the respected Chief Justice of SHC, requesting the investigation be conducted by a sitting judge. The aim, he said, is to ensure a transparent and thorough inquiry into the tragedy.