Technical Team Commences Urgent Investigations as Rescue Efforts Continue into Ninth Day at Karachi’s Gul Plaza

A technical investigation team from Lahore arrived at Karachi’s Gul Plaza on Sunday to conduct comprehensive inspections as the rescue operation entered its ninth day. The investigative team included forensic experts and was supported by police and district administration officials who accompanied them during their inspections of various locations within the plaza.

Marking is being carried out at sites where search efforts have concluded, with an “H” symbol placed at key points to indicate danger and potential structural instability, according to the urban search team.

Human remains have been recovered following this incident, as per Amir Hassan’s statement for the Citizens Police Liaison Committee Identification Project. The death toll now stands at least 71.

Yesterday, police registered a criminal case concerning the fire incident due to negligence and lack of safety measures. This FIR has been filed under Sections 322, 337-H(I), 436, and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and it names the building’s management as the complainant. The investigation report is yet to be completed.

The FIR documents severe negligence and carelessness at Gul Plaza, where no safety measures were implemented. It mentions that during the fire, lights were switched off, causing difficulties for people inside, and several gates remained closed.

Following the registration of this FIR, authorities sealed off the building. Concurrently, a technical investigation team formed by the Sindh government, comprising experts from NED University, inspected Gul Plaza. This team examined the structure’s stability, particularly focusing on its pillars, to determine whether it can remain standing for an extended period, if demolition is required immediately, or if only certain parts are unsafe.

The report from this technical investigation team will be submitted to the Sindh government and district administration, detailing their findings regarding the building’s structural integrity.