Islamabad, Jan 23 (NationPress) Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Friday called for a judicial investigation into the tragic incident at Gul Plaza in Karachi, Pakistan, as the death toll has tragically risen to 67, with 77 individuals still unaccounted for, according to local media.

During a press conference, Tessori emphasized his intention to appeal to the Chief Justices of both the Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court (SHC) to launch an inquiry into this unfortunate event, as reported by the Pakistani daily The News International.

"Those who played a role in this should be swiftly identified and held accountable," he stated.

Governor Tessori remarked that the administration cannot evade its obligations regarding the Gul Plaza fire, raising concerns about the response to the incident and its aftermath. His remarks come as rescue operations continue to locate more individuals who went missing after the fire broke out on January 17.

According to sources, the fire originated at a store selling artificial flowers, with reports suggesting that children were present and possibly playing with matches or a lighter. The initial flames ignited stored materials before spreading to the electrical wiring, indicating that the fire was not caused by an electrical malfunction.

Furthermore, District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso reported the death toll has reached 67, while 77 individuals remain missing. He indicated that search and rescue operations at the shopping mall are ongoing and anticipated to conclude on Friday, as stated by The News International.

This rescue operation, now in its seventh day, follows the most significant fire incident in Karachi in over a decade, which erupted on January 17 and swiftly engulfed the Gul Plaza shopping complex.

Meanwhile, families of the missing gathered near the incident location on Thursday to express their frustration over the sluggish pace of rescue efforts, as reported by local media.

The women criticized the administration and rescue teams, stating they have been left feeling helpless since the fire began, desperately seeking updates on their loved ones. They voiced their anger over the slow progress in clearing debris from the collapsed areas, calling the situation "extremely nerve-wracking," according to the Pakistani daily The Express Tribune.

The protesters raised their voices against the authorities on MA Jinnah Road and attempted to enter the affected building. Police intervened to prevent any escalation. Women, holding photographs of their missing relatives, demanded the rapid completion of rescue operations and urgent action to save any survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

Additionally, the Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan organized a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, insisting on the immediate resignation of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and stringent legal measures against those accountable for the Gul Plaza fire.

While addressing the demonstrators, HRC Chairman Jamshed Hussain stated that the catastrophic fire at Gul Plaza is not merely an accident but a result of criminal negligence by relevant institutions and a severe violation of human rights. The loss of over 60 lives and the disappearance of many more highlight the failures within the Pakistani governmental framework.

The Council also emphasized that the Rs 1 crore per person compensation announced by the Sindh provincial government is "grossly inadequate". They called for the establishment of a genuine investigative committee that not only appears to take action but actually identifies the culprits and enforces legal repercussions against those responsible.

"The Mayor of Karachi should accept moral accountability for the administrative failures in the city and the inadequacies of the fire brigade and resign immediately," the HRC asserted.

The rights organization urged that the officials from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Fire Brigade, whose lack of readiness and negligence led to the loss of precious lives, must be held accountable.