The Human Rights Council of Pakistan organized a protest outside the Karachi Press Club seeking justice for the victims and families affected by the Gul Plaza fire tragedy. During the demonstration, concerns were raised over the non-disclosure of the judicial commission report related to the incident. The protestors urged the Chief Minister of Sindh to release the report promptly for transparency.
Led by HRC Pakistan Chairman Jamshed Hussain and HRC Sindh President Mehboob Noonari, the protest brought together civil society representatives, human rights activists, and aggrieved families. The demonstrators called for decisive action against those responsible for the disaster, criticizing failures in firefighting operations and building safety enforcement. They demanded the removal of Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan based on the commission’s findings.
The HRC of Pakistan emphasized the need for immediate legal action against those accountable for the tragedy, highlighting the prolonged quest for justice by the affected families. The protest concluded with a renewed call for justice, accountability, and strict enforcement of building safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Gul Plaza fire incident in January claimed numerous lives, sparking public outrage over delayed responses and safety lapses.
Reports indicate that the judicial commission’s findings underscored inadequate fire safety measures at Gul Plaza and various factors hindering rescue efforts. These factors included encroachments around the building, traffic congestion, and construction work impeding emergency responses. Stressing the importance of releasing the report, MQM-P Deputy Parliamentary Leader Taha Ahmed Khan emphasized the right of affected families to know the truth and hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy.
