The massive fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road could have caused fewer casualties if timely action had been taken, top rescue official Wajid Sibghatullah, Director General of Rescue 1122, told the inquiry commission and media on Tuesday.
Sibghatullah said shutting down the shopping mall’s electricity was a major mistake. “Power shutdown caused maximum loss,” he stated.
He also highlighted delays in reporting the fire, which erupted at 10:10 PM on January 17. “Lives could have been saved if Rescue 1122 was informed immediately,” he added.
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The DG further explained that Rescue 1122 operates with limited resources in Karachi and lacks heavy machinery for large-scale rescue operations.
The Gul Plaza fire raged for over 32 hours, engulfing the building and trapping dozens inside, exposing weaknesses in the city’s emergency response system.
During the inquiry commission hearing, Gul Plaza Association president Tanveer Pasta provided details about the building.
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He stated that the plaza’s official closing times vary, with regular days between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM, and Saturdays up to 11:00 PM. Gates begin closing at 10:30 PM, taking about 20 minutes to shut entirely, while the ramp closes around 11:30 PM on Saturdays.
Regarding CCTV coverage, Pasta said some DVRs were recovered from debris after the building collapsed. The plaza had around 280 cameras, including a security room in the basement.
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He also confirmed that the main corridors were six to eight feet wide, mezzanine corridors around ten feet, and the building housed 1,153 leased shops under the approved plan.
The January 17 fire at Gul Plaza highlighted critical gaps in fire safety, reporting mechanisms, and emergency response in Karachi.
The inquiry commission continues to investigate the causes, management, and accountability related to the disaster.
