The Sindh government has announced that a judicial commission will investigate the Gul Plaza fire tragedy. Officials said the inquiry will ensure transparency and accountability.
Sharjeel Inam Memon told a press conference that the government will ask the Sindh High Court to appoint a serving judge to lead the probe. He said the commission will review the facts and determine responsibility.
The minister was accompanied by Azad Khan and Hassan Naqvi during the briefing.
Memon shared the initial findings of the investigation. He said authorities had ruled out arson. He added that the fire began because of an 11-year-old child’s actions.
He said the provincial government convened a special cabinet meeting after the incident. The cabinet formed a sub-committee to assess the situation. The chief minister also set up a separate fact-finding committee and has now received its report.
Karachi: Announcement made to conduct an inquiry into the Gul Plaza tragedy through a Judicial Commission. GEO News@sharjeelinam @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/v3ydARKhQr
— Baksher Boto (@baksher_boto321) January 29, 2026Memon said the chief minister made key decisions after reviewing the findings. These decisions aim to fix responsibility and prevent similar tragedies.
Providing further details, he said between 2,000 and 2,500 people were present inside Gul Plaza when the fire broke out. Many managed to escape. However, 80 people lost their lives.
The minister said the cabinet sub-committee found serious lapses by the Civil Defence Department. Fire audits of the building have been conducted since 2023. Authorities failed to act on those findings.
Read: Sindh Governor Seeks Judicial Probe Into Gul Plaza Fire
He added that the district administration failed to inform the provincial government about the inaction. Consequently, the government suspended the director and director general of civil defence with immediate effect.
Memon said the government will take strict action against anyone else found responsible. He stressed that the government will not tolerate negligence.
