Gul Plaza Fire Case: Tanveer Pasta Named Main Accused as Challan Filed in Karachi Court
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Investigators have submitted a charge sheet in the Gul Plaza fire case before a judicial magistrate in Karachi’s South district, naming Tanveer Pasta as the main accused in the case stemming from the deadly blaze that killed 72 people.
According to the challan submitted to the court on Saturday, investigating officer DSP Aamir Warraich presented the findings as Tanveer Pasta and other accused appeared before the judicial magistrate. The investigation identifies Pasta as the principal accused in the case.
The charge sheet states that Tanveer Pasta, Ramzan, Naimatullah and Ammar Ismail are on bail, while another accused, Ameen, has been declared absconding. Investigators have also submitted a list of 85 witnesses along with the challan.
The case involving an 11-year-old boy, Huzaifa, has been separated from the main proceedings. His name does not appear on the list of accused in the main challan, and a separate charge sheet has been submitted under the juvenile justice process.
The court adjourned further proceedings until September 9, 2026.
The filing marks an important development in a case that had faced repeated delays. On August 15, the investigating officer had failed to submit the challan, prompting the court to extend the interim bail of the accused and adjourn proceedings until September 5.
Earlier, a city court had rejected an initial police investigation as inadequate and ordered a fresh probe by an officer of DSP rank. The court had directed investigators to reassess the roles of agencies including the Sindh Building Control Authority, Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Fire Brigade and district administration.
The January 17 blaze at Gul Plaza became one of Karachi’s deadliest commercial-building fires. A judicial commission report subsequently said 72 people were killed and identified failures in fire-safety arrangements and the emergency response. The report also found that delays in reporting the blaze and rescue operations contributed to the loss of life.
Separate administrative action has also followed the tragedy. In August, Sindh’s Home Department dismissed two Civil Defence officials after allegations of negligence and misconduct relating to Gul Plaza’s fire-safety audits were found established in departmental proceedings.
With the challan now before the court, the judicial process will determine the criminal responsibility of those accused. The allegations contained in the charge sheet remain subject to adjudication, and naming an individual as an accused does not constitute a finding of guilt.
