The Judicial Commission summons multiple departments in the investigation of the Gul Plaza fire.

The judicial commission established to investigate the fatal Gul Plaza fire has summoned high-ranking officials from several government departments as part of its examination into the catastrophe that resulted in over 70 fatalities.

The panel, led by Sindh High Court Justice Agha Faisal, has issued notifications to multiple authorities and has summoned the president of Gul Plaza to appear before it. The hearings are planned for February 18.

The officials summoned to appear before the commission comprise the Senior Director of Land, Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Commissioner of the South, SSP of the City, DIG of Traffic, Chief Executive Officer of the Karachi Water Corporation, Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Director General of Rescue, and the Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric.

The judicial inquiry ensues from a catastrophic fire that erupted on January 17, 2026, at Gul Plaza, a prominent retail center situated on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi. The fire persisted for three days, causing the fatalities of over 70 individuals and eliciting significant apprehensions regarding building safety regulations and emergency response protocols.

Subsequent to the catastrophe, the political parties and civil society organizations dismissed the report presented by the Karachi commissioner, citing a lack of faith in its conclusions.

They subsequently requested the Sindh government to establish an independent judicial body to guarantee openness and accountability.

The commission is anticipated to investigate the fire’s causes, evaluate potential negligence by pertinent authorities, and ascertain accountability for the extent of the loss of life.