The Sindh government has taken strict action after the Gul Plaza fire tragedy in Karachi, suspending senior officials and announcing further investigations against responsible departments and the plaza management.
Provincial Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the decisions were taken after a detailed fact-finding report and long consultations at the highest level of the provincial government.
Speaking to the media, Sharjeel Memon said the Sindh Cabinet held a special meeting after the Gul Plaza tragedy and formed a committee to investigate the incident.
He said the committee’s report has now been completed, and key findings were discussed in a six-hour-long meeting. The investigation was conducted by the Additional Inspector General Karachi and the Commissioner Karachi.
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According to Sharjeel Memon, around 2,500 people were present inside Gul Plaza when the fire broke out. Rescue agencies evacuated people from the building, preventing even greater loss of life.
However, he admitted that serious weaknesses in emergency response and building safety systems were exposed during the tragedy.
Based on the report, the government has suspended the Director Civil Defense and the Additional Controller Civil Defense District South.
Sharjeel Memon also announced immediate suspension of officials responsible for hydrants due to delays in water supply by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC). He said further action will be taken against other officials found responsible for negligence.
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He revealed that notices were issued twice to the management of Gul Plaza before the incident, but the management failed to make required safety arrangements.
The negligence of the plaza management is now under investigation, and a criminal case may also be registered against them.
Authorities are also preparing action against the Sindh Building Control Authority and other relevant institutions for allowing irregularities since 1979.
Sharjeel Memon said a cabinet sub-committee has decided that the Civil Defense Department will conduct mandatory fire audits of buildings to prevent future tragedies.
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He also confirmed that Afzal Zaidi was removed from his post on the first day of the investigation. Additionally, a senior director of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has been removed with immediate effect.
The report also highlighted a lack of resources among KMC staff during the rescue operation. A firefighter from KMC lost his life while battling the fire, which further exposed the risks faced by emergency workers.
Sharjeel Memon emphasized that since the first day, the government’s full focus has been on rescue operations and rehabilitation of victims.
He said the fact-finding report will be shared with the media soon to ensure transparency. He added that strict accountability will be enforced to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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The government has consistently acknowledged its shortcomings regarding health inspections and implementation, said Sharjeel Inam Memon.
“Wherever we found our own deficiencies, we admitted them openly,” he added. “We also highlighted gaps in other institutions wherever they existed.”
The responsibilities of building management have been clearly outlined, and several letters were sent to the administration urging adequate arrangements for emergency situations. The report contains detailed information on the number of shops, new constructions, and staircase sizes.
“All points necessary for the safe evacuation of people during emergencies have been included,” Memon said. Individual notices and warnings were also issued to the building management, identifying all violations and excesses in writing.
Additionally, an official letter was submitted to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, requesting that the judicial inquiry be conducted by a sitting judge or chief justice.
