Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that following the Gul Plaza tragedy, a special meeting of the Sindh Cabinet was held, during which the fact-finding report of a five-member sub-committee was reviewed. This report, prepared by the Commissioner Karachi and the AIG Karachi, has now been shared with the media. The meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, resulted in important decisions being taken in light of the report. At the time of the incident, approximately 2,000 to 2,500 people were present in the building, including employees and customers. Rescue personnel managed to save many, but 56 people tragically lost their lives.
Addressing a press conference alongside Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi and AIG Karachi Azad Khan, the minister stated that the report revealed that the Civil Defense had conducted fire safety audits of Gul Plaza and other buildings. However, no effective corrective measures or legal enforcement were implemented. The Director Civil Defense and Additional Controller Civil Defense Karachi did not handle the matter properly and failed to take any action. Notices had been issued to the management of Gul Plaza twice, highlighting the lack of proper fire safety arrangements. For their inaction, the Director Civil Defense and Additional Controller Civil Defense South have been suspended with immediate effect, and departmental action will be taken under the relevant rules.
There was also a delay in the supply of water to fire tenders by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, which affected firefighting efforts. The Chief Engineer Bulk and In-charge Hydrants at Karachi Water Corporation have been suspended with immediate effect, and action will be taken against them. Further action will be taken if additional negligence is found. Sharjeel Inam Memon noted that KMC and Rescue 1122 lacked adequate firefighting equipment, training, and operational capacity to respond effectively to such a fire. Despite these severe shortages and challenges, the staff of KMC and Rescue 1122 demonstrated great courage and dedication. During the incident, fireman Furqan Shaukat was martyred, and his service is being honored.
The Senior Director of Municipal Services KMC will be suspended immediately, and departmental action will be taken against him for failing to ensure the readiness of the fire staff. The concerned department will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to improve and strengthen the firefighting capabilities of provincial and local bodies, covering equipment, training, manpower, and infrastructure. Based on this assessment, permanent measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Sindh Chief Minister has already announced plans to bring KMC, Rescue 1122, and Civil Defense under one umbrella to enhance their capacity and eliminate resource shortages.
He stated that the Gul Plaza management did not have proper fire prevention, detection, or firefighting systems, which had previously been flagged in writing. Two Civil Defense officers have been suspended for failing to take action. The management was informed but did not make the necessary arrangements. The building had been constructed in violation of the approved building plan, hindering safe evacuation and firefighting. Despite notices, the administration did not implement corrective measures. The character and conduct of the administration will be reviewed, and legal action will be taken if criminal negligence is found.
The committee identified serious irregularities in building approvals and leases. The roles of SBCA, former institutions, and KMC in approvals and leases granted in 1979, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1998, 2003, and 2015 will be examined in detail. Compliance with fire and building safety laws in relation to Gul Plaza will also be reviewed. The Anti-Corruption Department has been directed to investigate and take legal action as required. The government has written to the Chief Justice of the High Court, and a sitting judge will be appointed to conduct a legal inquiry and review.
Responding to a question, he said that some political parties tried to politicize the tragedy, despite the value of human life. The government has provided assistance to the families of the victims discreetly. The anti-corruption inquiry will investigate irregularities during past periods. The government is accountable to the people, not any political party, and has publicly acknowledged its shortcomings.
Memon said that the Sindh government is not under any pressure. While over 1,100 fire incidents have occurred in Karachi, this was the deadliest, and the government has acknowledged its shortcomings. He stressed that the government does not intend to blame anyone, but aims to present the facts transparently.
He clarified that the judicial commission was not formed at the request of MQM. The government is not acting under political pressure or for point-scoring, and all evidence will be submitted to the court or judicial commission.
Preliminary findings clearly indicate the responsibilities of relevant officers and institutions, and action will be taken against senior officials if negligence is found.
Separately, the remains of 12 more people who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi have been identified on Thursday, taking the total number of identified victims to 39.
The latest identifications were made with the help of mobile phone location data, and among those identified were three members of a family from North Nazimabad.