The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening, destroyed most of the building. PHOTO: REUTERS
Police have opened criminal proceedings over the deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, citing negligence and lack of safety measures, as the death toll from the fire rose to at least 71, officials said on Saturday.
According to the police, an FIR was registered under sections 322, 337-H(I), 436 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The case was filed with the government as a plaintiff and names unknown persons, with the investigation report not yet completed.
The FIR states that gross negligence and recklessness were demonstrated at Gul Plaza, where no security measures were in place. Lights were turned off during the fire, creating difficulties for people inside the building, while several doors were found closed, making the situation worse. So far, no individual has been held responsible in this case.
Read: Investigation into square fire expands
Following the registration of the FIR, the authorities sealed the building. Meanwhile, a technical survey team formed by the Sindh government, comprising experts from NED University, inspected Gul Plaza. The team examined the structure of the building, including its pillars, to assess its safety.
The team will submit a report to the Sindh government and district administration, detailing how long the building can remain standing, whether it requires immediate demolition or whether only certain parts are unsafe.
“The NED University team is examining the building,” said Deputy Commissioner South Javed Khoso. “After a full assessment of the building, a decision will be made regarding its demolition.”
Earlier Friday, authorities said the death toll rose to 71 after rescue teams recovered additional human remains during ongoing search and debris removal operations.
According to Amir Hassan, head of the identification office at the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), four bags containing human remains were brought to the hospital during the night. “These remains could belong to four individuals,” he said, adding that the death toll could reach 71 dead.
The fire, which broke out on Saturday evening last week, destroyed the business plaza and left the structure badly damaged. The human remains recovered from the rubble were transferred to Karachi Civil Hospital for medico-legal procedures.
Learn more: Sindh CM announces provision of temporary stores for traders at Gul Plaza within 2 months
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Friday that the damaged square would be demolished and reconstructed within two years, while affected traders would be given temporary shops within two months.
“The square will have to be demolished, but we will rebuild Gul Plaza within two years, rebuild the shops and return them to the traders,” Shah said, emphasizing that the number of shops would not be increased and the reconstruction would follow the plans approved by the Karachi Building Control Authority.
Addressing the Sindh Assembly, the chief minister said the government had identified two commercial buildings with a total of 850 shops, whose owners had agreed to waive rent for a year. Efforts were underway to extend the rent-free period to two years to help traders resume operations.
