Judicial Commission Rejects MQM-P Plea on Gul Plaza Fire Probe

The judicial inquiry into the devastating Gul Plaza inferno (which occurred on January 19, 2026) reached a significant procedural turning point on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The single-member commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal of the Sindh High Court, rejected a formal application by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to become an official party (intervener) in the proceedings.

The MQM-P Application & Allegations

Despite the rejection based on the commission’s Terms of Reference (ToR), the MQM-P leadership made serious allegations outside the courtroom:

• The Turbine Claim: Senior leader Dr. Farooq Sattar alleged that K-Electric had illegally installed a gas turbine and cylinders in the basement of Gul Plaza, essentially creating a “tinderbox” in one of Karachi’s busiest commercial hubs.
• Corruption Charges: The party claims to possess evidence of provincial government corruption and building irregularities that contributed to the scale of the disaster.
• Alternative Submission: While denied intervener status, the commission advised the MQM-P to submit their evidence via email, which the party’s counsel confirmed has already been done.

History of the Plot

The Municipal Commissioner, Sumera Hussain, provided a fascinating and troubled history of the Gul Plaza land:

• 1883: The plot was originally leased to the East India Company for tram services.
• 1983: After several private transfers, it was sold to a private firm, the Jeneka Group.
• The “Silent” Documents: Crucially, the commissioner noted that official records are “silent” regarding the original purpose of the lease, raising questions about building legality.

The Fire Investigation: “A Child and Matchsticks”

SSP-City Arif Aziz shared the preliminary findings of the police investigation:

• The Cause: Initial reports suggest the fire was sparked by a child of a shopkeeper playing with matchsticks.
• Accelerants: The fire spread rapidly due to the high volume of inflammable materials stored within the shops.
• Evidence Lost: Apart from the basement, almost all CCTV footage from the building was destroyed in the blaze.
• Access Issues: Only 4 out of 17 gates were open when the fire erupted, hindering both the escape of shoppers and the entry of firefighters.

You May Also Like: 8-Week Timeline to Uncover Gul Plaza Truth, Judicial Probe Notified

Claims and Compensation

KCCI President Rehan Hanif provided an update on the financial fallout for the traders:

• Total Shops: Over 1,200 shops were located in the gutted building.
• Claims Received: 850 claims have been filed by shopkeepers.
• Claims Admitted: 786 claims have been approved so far, while others remain under dispute or verification.

Departmental Shortcomings

Both the Civil Defence and the Municipal Commissioner admitted to severe resource gaps:

• Manpower Shortage: Civil Defence lacks the personnel to inspect all buildings, performing only “random yearly audits.”
• Equipment Gap: KMC’s fire department is currently facing a shortage of manpower and has pending requests for new equipment.

What’s Next?

The commission has adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Police officers have been handed detailed questionnaires regarding:

1. Evidence and investigation protocols.
2. Accountability and coordination between departments.
3. Traffic management during the crisis.

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