Pakistan's Human Rights Council (HRC) has alleged that the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, which claimed 71 lives, injured 82 others, and left more than 20 people missing, was not a mere accident but the direct consequence of severe 'administrative failures' — pointing fingers at multiple layers of government oversight that reportedly broke down on 17 January this year.

What the HRC Alleged

HRC Chairman Jamshed Hussain, addressing a press conference on 2 July, said the tragedy stemmed from failures within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), deficiencies in the firefighting system, alleged flawed oversight by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), and outright negligence by the officials concerned. He added that the silence of the Sindh government on the matter is 'equally troubling.'

What the Commission of Inquiry Found

Citing the Commission of Inquiry report, the HRC stated that the fire originated in a single shop but spread rapidly because basic fire safety infrastructure — including the sprinkler system, fire hoses, smoke alarms, and emergency lighting — was either absent or non-functional at the time. Most victims reportedly died due to suffocation caused by smoke inhalation.

The inquiry also found that 'narrow corridors, poor ventilation, and illegal modifications severely hampered the rescue operation.' Sources cited by the HRC indicate that the number of shops in Gul Plaza had been increased beyond what was permitted under the original construction approval, which reportedly compromised emergency evacuation routes.

Firefighting Capacity Under Scrutiny

The rights body further noted that firefighting staff 'lacked the required safety equipment and adequate training to handle emergencies,' a gap it said directly affected the timeliness and effectiveness of rescue operations. This raises a systemic concern: periodic inspections of commercial buildings — described by Hussain as the 'responsibility of relevant authorities' — were allegedly not being conducted.

Notably, the HRC raised pointed questions about the appointment, qualifications, and administrative decisions of KMC Chief Fire Officer Muhammad Humayun Khan, calling for his immediate removal and subjecting him to a transparent investigation.

Key Demands from the HRC

The Human Rights Council issued a set of formal demands to Pakistani authorities, including the registration of criminal cases against all those responsible — including relevant government officers — and the establishment of an independent judicial commission to conduct a thorough investigation. The body insisted that accountability must extend beyond lower-level officials to those who oversaw the structural and regulatory environment in which the tragedy occurred.

Broader Context

The Gul Plaza fire is not an isolated episode in Pakistan's history of commercial building disasters. Critics argue that inadequate enforcement of building codes and chronic underfunding of fire services have repeatedly turned preventable incidents into mass casualties. This comes amid growing pressure on provincial governments across Pakistan to overhaul urban safety regulations. Whether the Sindh government responds to the HRC's demands with concrete action — or continues what the rights body has called a troubling silence — will be closely watched.