The judicial commission, set up to investigate the tragic incident of Gul Plaza, is still investigating the matter. The SSP City, who recorded a statement in the commission, said that statements have been recorded from the children who were playing at the time of the incident. The SSP said that it was informed that the fire was spreading rapidly, and when he arrived at the scene, he saw that the fire was intense on the side of Main Road, but not as intense on the side of DC Office, where people were evacuating their belongings.
The commission asked when this happened, to which the SSP replied that it was at 10:45 pm. The police had deployed personnel on all three sides, and within minutes, the fire engulfed all three sides. It was stated that two children were playing at the time of the incident, and their statements were recorded. The children said that they were playing when the fire broke out.
The commission asked about the presence of CCTV cameras in the basement, and the SSP said that they were available. The commission asked to share the CCTV footage, to which the SSP replied that 4 out of 17 doors were open. The commission asked who was responsible for opening the doors, and the SSP said that it was the responsibility of the association, which collects rent from shops and employs security personnel.
The security personnel were instructed by the association to open the doors, but they refused, citing that they were not aware of the number of people inside. However, the association was responsible for ensuring that the doors were open in case of an emergency.
The SSP Traffic, Aijaz Sheikh, was asked how the rescue operation was carried out despite the large area of the plaza. The commission asked if he was involved in the decision to cut off the power supply, to which he replied that the grid was already shut down due to maintenance work.
The Zone Manager of Sui Southern Gas, Manzoor Ahmed, said that there were 4 gas connections in the plaza, 2 commercial, 1 industrial, and 1 household. The commission asked why there was an industrial connection, and the zone manager replied that it was used for the operation of chillers in the plaza. However, the connection was shut down after the fire broke out.
The Chief Commissioner of Karachi, Muhammad Siddique Memon, said that the plaza was leased to the MS Janjua for 99 years. The land was originally leased to the East India Company in 1884, which later sold it to 5 individuals who sold it to Anwar Ali in 1976. Anwar Ali sold it to MS Janjua in 1983.
The Minister of Education, Saeed Ghani, said that exams will not be held during Easter and Holi. The Provincial Minister of Karachi, Saeed Ghani, said that exams will not be held from April 2 to 6 in all educational boards.
The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Azam Khan Swati, said that a medical board will be formed to investigate the death of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s son. The police said that a case has been registered against a government officer’s nephew for harassment.
The security forces conducted an operation in Dera Ismail Khan, which was said to be related to the presence of terrorist elements.
Marium Nawaz said that private ambulances were charging exorbitant fees for transferring bodies from public hospitals. The Peshawar High Court ordered the registration of a Pakistani woman’s Afghan husband as a citizen and the issuance of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC).
The DSP of Quetta said that the attackers had set fire to two cars in the Chagai area. The Punjab Assembly has passed 169 bills in the last two years, out of which 144 have been approved.
The Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, briefed the Chairman of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, on the administrative and political situation of the province.
The identity of the injured citizen has been revealed as Hassan Bangwar. The Lahore High Court has issued a written order in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
The Federal Minister said in a Senate session that there is evidence of terrorism from Afghanistan into Pakistan, which has been shared with Afghanistan as well.
The World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan said
