Judicial commission seeks fire records in Gul Plaza tragedy probe

A judicial commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire incident in Karachi held a meeting on Friday, during which the Saddar Gul Plaza Association submitted its response to the panel’s questionnaire.

According to details presented before the commission, the association failed to provide records related to the title documents of shops operating in the building. However, it submitted details of Rs1,500 collected from shopkeepers for repair work.

The association also admitted that it had been operating without registration with any government authority. In its written response, it further acknowledged that the building’s doors were sometimes kept closed on the instructions of the association’s president.

Fire department records sought

During the proceedings, the head of the judicial commission directed the city’s chief fire officer to provide records related to the Gul Plaza fire.

The commission sought the fire call log, logbooks of fire brigade vehicles and certified copies of relevant documents. The chief fire officer has been instructed to submit records covering the period from January 17 to January 21.

The commission has directed that all requested records be submitted by March 16 as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident at Gul Plaza.