Gul Plaza Fire Declared Accidental, Union Leaders Among Accused

First Published 6 hours ago

4 Updates by 4 sources

An investigation report by Karachi Police has concluded that the deadly fire at Gul Plaza was an accident, according to a challan submitted to the prosecution. The blaze resulted in the deaths of 72 people.

The report states that the fire originated in shop number 193. It alleges that the 11-year-old son of the shopkeeper, Nematullah, was playing with matches, which ignited artificial flowers. Both the shopkeeper and his son, Huzaifa, have been named as accused in the case, with the report finding them responsible for negligence.

The leadership of the market’s union committee has also been implicated for negligence. The report names Union President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Muhammad Amin, and Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramzan as accused. Police have declared all the named individuals as absconders.

According to the investigation, the union was negligent for not preventing the underage boy from working at the shop. The report also found that after the fire started, the union failed to seek emergency assistance promptly and that the plaza’s gates were not opened in time, hindering evacuation. The situation was reportedly worsened when the union president had the electricity supply cut, plunging the market into darkness.

A forensic analysis found no traces of explosive materials. The report also noted that the remains of four victims have not yet been claimed. Available details indicate that a separate judicial commission’s report on the incident was not made part of the police challan.

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