KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to establish a high-level inquiry commission to investigate alleged negligence that led to the devastating Gul Plaza fire, which killed at least 71 people and destroyed over 1,100 shops.
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Speaking at a press conference, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar demanded an independent judicial inquiry to hold accountable Sindh government officials and other parties whose alleged inaction contributed to the tragedy. Sattar emphasised the need for transparency, questioning delays in forming a commission and highlighting what he described as “incapability, apathy and professional negligence” by authorities.
MQM Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar criticized the Sindh government, stating that it must provide answers over the Gul Plaza tragedy.#GulPlaza #Karachi #MQMPakistan #TOKReports pic.twitter.com/H0ADpzlE4u
— Times of Karachi (@TOKCityOfLights) January 24, 2026
A letter from MQM-P convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to the prime minister proposed that the commission include top officials from the FIA, IB, NDMA, PDMA, NAB, MI, ISI, as well as technical experts from PEC, Nespak, and the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners. Siddiqui said the commission should make its report public to prevent similar disasters in the future and called for federal assistance in rescue, rehabilitation, and financial support for affected families.
Sattar also criticised Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, alleging delayed responses to the fire. He said the mayor visited the site 23 hours after the incident, while the chief minister arrived 22 hours later. He further countered claims linking MQM-P’s former leadership to building regularisations, noting that multiple administrations had been involved over the years.
Highlighting the economic and human toll, Sattar said more than 12,000 families were directly or indirectly affected and called for swift federal intervention to ensure justice and safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights under the Constitution.
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The MQM-P leader warned that accountability measures would not be ignored, saying, “The time is coming; the noose of accountability on your neck is tightening…Enough is enough.”