Justice Agha Faisal, head of the judicial commission investigating the tragic Gul Plaza incident, emphasized the severe lapses in leadership and emergency response during a hearing on Thursday. Representatives from the BRT Green Line project testified before the commission, including Shafi Muhammad Chachar, who provided critical information about the rescue operation.
The commission was informed that the construction of the Green Line project had impeded efforts at Gul Plaza significantly. Justice Agha Faisal highlighted how MA Jinnah Road, a vital artery in Karachi, has been effectively functioning as a narrow lane for six months due to ongoing infrastructure work. He questioned whether the project was initiated without a clear plan, raising concerns about accountability.
According to testimony from Shafi Muhammad Chachar, Mayor of Karachi had temporarily halted the Green Line project for two months to address city traffic and safety issues. Construction is expected to be completed by October but has caused continued disruptions in the meantime. The commission challenged whether government officials requested assistance from heavy machinery during the rescue operation, to which Chachar replied that such requests did not occur.
Chachar maintained that his team had cooperated fully with rescue teams, facilitating their movements throughout operations. However, Justice Agha Faisal underscored that responsibility for lives lost falls upon someone. He stressed that there was no one leading the emergency response at Gul Plaza during the incident, revealing significant gaps in emergency management.
The commission also demanded an explanation from the DG of Sindh Building Control Authority regarding how the construction occurred and under whose permission. Justice Agha Faisal highlighted the critical absence of leadership at the site when tragedy struck, calling for accountability to ensure such lapses do not occur again.