Sharjeel Memon says the Sindh High Court will be asked to appoint a sitting judge to review it and decide on the matter.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon addresses the press conference in Karachi. Photo: Express/Archive
The Sindh government announced on Thursday that the investigation into the Gul Plaza tragedy would be carried out through a judicial commission.
Addressing a press conference, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the high court would be asked to appoint an acting judge to review and decide the matter.
The minister was flanked by Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan and Commissioner Hassan Naqvi.
Briefing the media about the incident, Memon said initial findings had ruled out arson. “No one started the fire. The fire started because of an 11-year-old boy,” he added.
Memon said that following the Gul Plaza incident, a special cabinet meeting was convened during which a subcommittee was formed. He added that the prime minister had also constituted an independent inquiry committee, whose report had already been received.
“Today the prime minister has taken important decisions in light of the committee’s report,” he said.
Giving more details, the minister said that between 2,000 and 2,500 people were present at Gul Plaza at the time the fire broke out. While many were able to escape after the incident began, 80 people lost their lives.
He said a review of the cabinet subcommittee report revealed that the Department of Civil Defense had conducted several fire audits of the building since 2023, but took no subsequent action. He added that the district administration did not inform the government about this lapse.
“As a result, the director and director general of Civil Defense have been suspended with immediate effect,” Memon said, adding that if anyone else is found to be involved, they will also be punished.
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More to follow.
