Gul Plaza Commission Reports Rescue Failures During Karachi Fire

The Gul Plaza Judicial Commission has recently highlighted critical failures in emergency response during the tragic fire incident at Gul Plaza, which occurred on February 25, 2026. Rescuer Muhammad Danish testified that inadequate training and equipment severely hampered rescue efforts, stating, "If trained rescue personnel had been present and adequately equipped, additional lives could have been saved." He recounted the chaotic scene, where survivors like Syed Abdullah had to improvise their escape due to locked gates and poor guidance, emphasizing that the fire brigade's delayed response raised serious questions about their preparedness. The commission, led by Justice Agha Faisal, has issued notices to key officials, including the director general of Rescue 1122, demanding written responses by February 27, 2026, to address these alarming lapses in safety protocols and emergency management.