MQM-Pakistan senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar has demanded the immediate public release of the judicial inquiry report on the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, accusing the Sindh government of concealing the truth from the public and victims. Speaking to the media after a hearing at the Sindh Information Commission, Dr Sattar alleged serious corruption and criminal negligence by the provincial government and its departments.
The Gul Plaza Tragedy and Its Toll
The Gul Plaza fire, which occurred in Karachi, claimed nearly 100 lives, injured over 200 people, and affected more than 12,000 families, according to Dr Sattar. He stated that the judicial inquiry report is being deliberately kept out of public view. A single bench of the Sindh High Court led by Justice Faisal Agha completed a four-volume inquiry report and handed it over to the Law Secretary, but the report has not been released.
Allegations of Cover-Up and Negligence
Dr Sattar claimed that the Sindh government, Home Department, and Law Department are playing 'ping-pong' with the report. He alleged they are spreading false propaganda that the files are missing from the record to protect the culprits. During the hearing, Advocate Mansoor presented documentary and photographic evidence before the Sindh Information Commission, proving that the report had been received by the Law Department.
Demand for Justice and Accountability
Dr Sattar emphasized that the victims' families deserve to know the truth and that those responsible for the tragedy must be held accountable. He urged the Sindh government to immediately release the report and ensure transparency in the investigation. The MQM-P leader warned of further legal and political action if the report is not made public.
