Karachi Gul Plaza Fire Inquiry Reveals Emergency Response Failures

The ongoing judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, which occurred on January 17, 2026, has revealed significant shortcomings in Karachi's emergency response and building safety regulations. Most recently, on February 23, the commission, led by Justice Agha Faisal, rejected the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) request to participate in the proceedings. The commission's hearings have highlighted critical testimonies, including that of SSP City Arif Aziz, who stated, "Initial information suggested children playing with matches may have sparked the blaze," and noted that only four of the building's 17 gates were open during the emergency, severely hampering evacuation efforts. The fire raged for over 32 hours, trapping many inside, and the commission is now scrutinizing the adequacy of the city's emergency response, which was hindered by narrow access routes due to ongoing construction work on the Green Line project.