Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, seeking a judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza tragedy.
Earlier, speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Senior Provincial Minister Sharjeel Memon said that a letter was being sent to the Chief Justice requesting that the investigation be conducted by a serving judge.
He stressed that the decision was not taken under pressure from any political party and that compensation payments to the families of those who died in the Gul Plaza incident had already begun.
Sharjeel Memon said the judicial commission was formed independently and that the Sindh government was accountable to the public, not to political parties. He accused some political groups of politicising the tragedy, adding that the government would not bow to any pressure and would continue to do what it believed was right.
He said that following the incident, the Sindh cabinet formed a committee to review the report prepared by a team headed by the Karachi Commissioner. The commissioner’s report has now been submitted and is a detailed document containing interviews of all relevant individuals.
According to the senior minister, between 2,000 and 2,500 people were inside the building at the time of the incident. Gul Plaza had undergone two safety audits, but their recommendations were not implemented.
The Civil Defence Department had carried out several inspections since 2023 and issued two notices.
He said the tragedy claimed 80 precious lives and that firefighters faced water shortages during rescue operations. He also paid tribute to the firefighter who lost his life while battling the blaze.
