The Human Rights Council of Pakistan has accused authorities of severe administrative failures leading to the tragic Gul Plaza fire incident in Karachi. The Council expressed concern over the Sindh government’s silence on the matter. HRC Chairman Jamshed Hussain highlighted deficiencies in the firefighting system, alleged flawed oversight mechanisms, and negligence by officials.
According to the rights body, the fire on January 17 claimed 71 lives, left 82 injured, and more than 20 missing. Most victims died due to smoke suffocation. Hussain mentioned discrepancies in the number of shops at Gul Plaza affecting emergency evacuation routes. He emphasized the need for regular safety inspections in commercial buildings to prevent such tragedies.
The Council pointed out the absence of basic fire safety arrangements in the building, hindering rescue operations. It criticized the lack of safety equipment and training for firefighting staff. The HRC raised concerns over the Chief Fire Officer’s qualifications and decisions, demanding transparent investigations and his removal from office. It urged legal action against those responsible and called for an independent judicial commission to investigate the incident.
