The chief minister was informed that the fire broke out at Gul Plaza shopping centre on January 17, 2026, following which a cabinet subcommittee was constituted to frame the Terms of Reference (ToRs). The ToRs were subsequently shared with the Sindh High Court, and a formal notification for a one-member Commission of Inquiry was issued on February 4. The commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal, conducted site visits and hearings from February 16 to March 25, and submitted its report to the Sindh government on April 7.
According to the report, the building lacked an effective firefighting system, proper alarm and communication mechanisms, and adequate evacuation arrangements. It also highlighted delays in informing the fire brigade and noted that the emergency response remained significantly below the prescribed standards. The report held multiple stakeholders responsible for the lapses.
In light of the findings, the government constituted a high-level implementation committee to oversee execution of the inquiry report and ensure accountability. Home and Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has been appointed as convener of the committee, while Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and Industries and Commerce Minister Ikramullah Dharejo will serve as members. Additional Chief Secretary Home Iqbal Memon will act as member/secretary.
Under the ToRs, the committee has been tasked with formulating a comprehensive strategy for implementation of the commission’s recommendations, proposing corrective measures in view of the identified causes and shortcomings, and ensuring effective coordination among all relevant departments. The body will also monitor progress, regularly apprise the government of developments, and may co-opt experts or relevant officials as required.
Speaking on the occasion, the home minister said the government was committed to undertaking institutional reforms, enforcing safety standards and fixing responsibility to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He warned that no negligence would be tolerated and strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible. He added that the formation of the implementation committee marked a significant step towards ensuring justice for the victims and reflected the government’s resolve to safeguard the lives and property of citizens in the future.
‘76% surveillance sites test negative for polio’
The govt has reported significant progress in its efforts to eradicate polio, with 76 per cent of environmental surveillance sites testing negative for the virus – the most notable improvement in the past three years.
The development was shared during a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Polio Eradication, chaired by CM Shah.
The chief minister directed the health department to launch a province-wide anti-polio campaign from April 13 to 19, 2026. The campaign aims to administer polio drops to approximately 10.5 million children under the age of five across 30 districts and 1,708 union councils.
The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) informed the meeting that Karachi division had shown marked improvement, with 10 out of 12 sites now testing negative. Other divisions also recorded steady progress, while Sukkur division achieved a fully negative status.