The Sindh government has announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the tragic fire at Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi, which claimed 80 lives. The decision was confirmed by Sindh Senior Minister and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on January 29, 2026.
Judicial Inquiry to Probe the Incident
The provincial government will write to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) requesting the appointment of a serving judge to lead the inquiry into the fire. The blaze, which erupted on January 17, was the largest in Karachi in over a decade and affected a complex housing approximately 1,200 family-owned businesses.
Accountability and Suspensions
Minister Memon criticized the Civil Defence officials for their failure to act on safety violations prior to the incident. Both the Civil Defence director and the South District additional controller have been suspended for neglecting to enforce fire safety regulations and for not taking action against the building’s management despite warnings.
Gul Plaza had undergone two fire safety audits, but recommendations were not implemented. The Civil Defence department had issued two notices following multiple inspections since 2023, highlighting inadequate emergency safety measures.
Findings and Government Response
A fact-finding committee led by the Karachi commissioner has submitted a comprehensive report, including interviews with relevant individuals. The Sindh cabinet formed a sub-committee to review these findings, and a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister was held to discuss the matter.
At the time of the fire, between 2,000 and 2,500 people were inside the building. The government has begun compensating the families of the victims and has pledged transparency throughout the inquiry process.
Future Measures
Minister Memon also mentioned that the government is considering consolidating emergency services such as the fire brigade, Civil Defence, and rescue services under a single command to improve coordination and response in future emergencies.
Official Actions
Following the announcement, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah formally requested the Sindh High Court to initiate the judicial inquiry. The government has emphasized that the decision was made independently and not under any political pressure.
