Karachi, Pakistan – Web Desk: The Gul Plaza Judicial Commission resumed hearings on the tragic fire incident, summoning key officials and stakeholders for detailed questioning. The CEO of Water Corporation, DG SBCA, the police surgeon, and Gul Plaza Market Association President Tanveer Pasta were among those asked to provide records and responses to the commission’s queries.
During the session, Justice Aga Faisal criticized the absence of Gul Plaza Market Association President, Tanveer Pasta, who later appeared and was questioned about market closure timings, entry and exit procedures, and CCTV records. Pasta stated that the market closed at 10:30–10:45 AM on weekdays and 10:30–11:00 AM on Saturdays, with doors shut sequentially over 20–25 minutes. He confirmed that CCTV footage from two DVRs in the basement security room was partially recovered, noting that the building housed 1,153 leased shops at the time of the fire.
Senior Director of Land, KMC, Syed Adnan Haider Zaidi, and other officials faced rigorous questioning regarding plot leases, road network jurisdiction, and legal ownership dating back to 1884 under the East India Company. Zaidi admitted limited knowledge and inability to satisfy the commission on several lease-related queries. Consequently, the commission issued notices to the Municipal Commissioner and ordered submission of detailed records.
Water Corporation CEO Ahmed Ali Siddiqui testified that the nearest hydrant was 14 kilometers away but that water supply continued uninterrupted. He estimated that approximately 40,000 gallons were used in the first two hours to combat the blaze. Police surgeon Dr. Samia reported the identification of victims, detailing the initial arrival of eight injured, and subsequent delivery of remains over several days. She emphasized that smoke inhalation was the primary cause of fatalities, with DNA samples collected from 57 individuals for verification.
DG SBCA Mazmul Hussain outlined the building’s approval and construction history, highlighting unauthorized shops, basement usage, and limitations of post-completion inspections. He noted that SBCA oversight ends post-completion, transferring responsibility to building management, which remains largely unregistered.
Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, described emergency response protocols, coordination with Rescue 1122, fire brigade, and the challenges posed by restricted access due to surrounding construction projects on MA Jinnah Road.
The commission issued a 72-question notice to Gul Plaza management and Tanveer Pasta, seeking detailed accounts of safety protocols, fire suppression equipment, emergency exits, personnel deployment, shop occupancy, and official records. Additional notices were also issued to the Municipal Commissioner and Civil Defence Director, with the next hearing scheduled for February 23.
The inquiry underscores systemic lapses in urban building regulations, emergency preparedness, and management accountability following Pakistan’s deadliest market fire.
