Accountability debate intensifies after Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire

The search operation at Karachi’s Gul Plaza has nearly concluded, ten days after the devastating fire that killed at least 74 people and destroyed billions of rupees worth of property. While the recovery effort is winding down, human remains continue to be retrieved from the rubble, highlighting the scale of the disaster and the challenges of identifying victims.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan said the incident has once again raised critical questions about fire safety in Karachi’s buildings and the effectiveness of rescue operations. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of whether existing safety systems and emergency response mechanisms are sufficient to protect lives in densely populated commercial areas.

Authorities say 55 relatives have submitted DNA samples, enabling identification of 23 victims so far, while more than 60 people remain missing. A case has been registered against unknown suspects on charges of negligence, carelessness, and culpable homicide. A technical team from the Forensic Science Laboratory in Lahore has been summoned to collect evidence and samples from the site. Officials have said the damaged structure will be sealed once the forensic process is complete.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced in the Sindh Assembly that Gul Plaza will be demolished and rebuilt within two years. However, the tragedy has also exposed a wider debate over responsibility, as political parties in Karachi have traded accusations rather than focusing on prevention and safety improvements.

The Sindh government’s initial inquiry report outlines the history of Gul Plaza’s land and construction approvals. It notes that the land was transferred in 1983 during the tenure of former Jamaat-e-Islami mayor Abdul Sattar Afghani.

In 1991, the land was leased under former MQM mayor Farooq Sattar, and in 2003, additional floors were regularized during the term of former Jamaat-e-Islami mayor Naimatullah Khan. Based on these findings, the Pakistan Peoples Party has suggested that the responsibility for the incident lies with previous administrations. Meanwhile, MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami and citizens have questioned why the fire started and why the blaze could not be controlled for days.

A major point of contention has been the delay in rescue operations. Gul Plaza was a three-story corner building with wide roads on three sides, not a cramped structure hidden in a narrow lane. Critics argue that this layout should have enabled faster access for emergency services, raising questions about coordination and preparedness.

The fire in Lahore’s 19-storey Indigo Tower is being cited as a contrasting example. When the fire broke out, rescue teams began operations within minutes, evacuating around 180 people, while only three lives were lost. Officials attribute this outcome to clear roads, trained firefighters, and an efficient water supply through the city’s fire hydrant system. Firefighters entered the building wearing self-contained breathing apparatuses and were able to contain the blaze quickly.

By contrast, witnesses and officials have said that the firefighters responding to the Gul Plaza fire lacked proper training and equipment. Even fire bowsers tasked with transporting water to the site were reportedly stuck in traffic for hours, hampering firefighting efforts and raising further questions about emergency preparedness in Karachi.

As the recovery process concludes, the focus is shifting toward accountability and safety reforms. The Gul Plaza tragedy has once again underscored the need for stronger fire safety measures and more efficient emergency response systems to prevent such disasters in the future.