ISLAMABAD: Police in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi have registered a case over a deadly blaze at Gul Plaza, which has so far claimed 71 lives, under mischief, negligence and murder clauses, a senior police official said on Saturday.
The fire broke out at the densely packed commercial complex in the heart of Karachi on Jan. 17, trapping workers and shoppers inside. It burnt for over 24 hours before being brought under control, leaving the building structurally unsafe.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. Police said preliminary indications pointed to a possible electrical short circuit, though officials stress conclusions will only be drawn after investigations are completed.
A week after the incident, police have registered the first information report (FIR) of the incident under sections 427, 436, 337-H (i) and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Karachi South Asad Raza.
“The FIR of the Gul Plaza tragedy has been registered under the government’s prosecution, with case number 08/2026 at Nabi Bux police station,” Raza told Arab News.
