Sindh’s Governor Kamran Tessori has formally written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, seeking the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the deadly Gul Plaza fire.
In his letter, the governor called for a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. He asked the court to examine the cause of the fire, possible negligence, and any violations of safety laws. He stressed that identifying those responsible is vital to restoring public confidence.
Governor Tessori recommended that the proposed commission work under the direct supervision of the Sindh High Court. He said such oversight would ensure transparency and accountability. He added that the inquiry could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Describing the blaze as a horrific inferno, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He emphasised that justice for the victims remains a moral and legal obligation.
Fire Incident at Gul Plaza
The fire erupted late on Saturday night, January 17, at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi. Flames quickly engulfed the commercial building and trapped dozens of people inside.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than 32 hours before bringing it under control. The prolonged operation exposed serious gaps in the city’s emergency response system.
Authorities have declared the building structurally unsafe. Rescue teams continued search operations with support from the Army, Rangers, and civil agencies. Families sought information at help desks and DNA collection centers while engineers assessed the damage.
Read: Gul Plaza Fire Death Toll Rises to 71 as Recovery Enters Final Phase
The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire has reached 74, according to Police Surgeon Dr. Samia Syed. Several victims remain unidentified, which has deepened fears among families of missing persons.
Officials have received a positive DNA profile from the Sindh Forensic DNA Laboratory. However, authorities have not yet obtained a matching reference sample. Investigators believe some victims may belong to other cities, which has slowed the identification process.
Dr. Syed confirmed that DNA testing will continue until all victims are identified. Authorities say the process remains critical to provide closure to grieving families.
