KARACHI: Sindh Police have registered a case against unknown individuals on the directives of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, indicating an important but only initial step toward accountability in Gul Plaza incident.
The First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including provisions related to culpable homicide, negligence, damage to property, and fire-related offenses.
The case, registered by Nabi Bakhsh Police Station in the name of the state, has reportedly been sealed as investigations move into a sensitive phase. The registration of the case followed formal instructions from both the Chief Minister and the Provincial Interior Minister to the Inspector General of Sindh Police.
Senior police officials confirmed that inquiries are underway to determine the cause of the fire, possible lapses in safety measures, and whether criminal negligence played a role in the tragedy. Meanwhile, the human toll of the incident continues to unfold.
The identification efforts remain ongoing, with officials stating that 22 victims have been identified through conventional and DNA-based methods. So far, the rescue teams, facing severe technical and structural challenges, have completed nearly 90 percent of the search operation, though no additional bodies were recovered.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso stated that the search operation is complex and time-consuming due to the building’s condition. He added that valuables, including cash and gold recovered during rescue efforts, have been handed over to a designated committee for safekeeping.
Police sources revealed that statements will be recorded from plaza guards, shopkeepers, and management officials. However, even as official processes move forward, pressure is mounting from trader bodies and civil society groups, who have openly questioned the government’s response and transparency.
