Justice Agha Faisal appointed to lead single-member commission probing Gul Plaza fire
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar addressing a press conference . PHOTO: EXPRESS/ File
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Tuesday issued two separate directives, ordering the release of all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) earlier this month and constituting a high-level judicial commission to investigate the Gul Plaza fire.
The PTI workers were detained under the MPO ahead of the February 8 protests.
According to an official order issued by the Home Department, bearing reference No. SO(Judl-II)/HD/06/9/2026, the government has withdrawn all detention orders issued under Section 3(1) of the MPO Ordinance, 1960, between February 1 and February 9, 2026.
A copy of the official order issued by the Government of Sindh Home Department on February 10, 2026, directing the immediate withdrawal of detention orders under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and the release of detainees from Central and Malir prisons. Photo: Government of Sindh/File
The order directed the senior superintendents of Central Prison, District Prison, and CF Malir to release the detainees forthwith, provided they are not required in any other case. Copies of the directive were sent to the Inspector General of police, Sindh, and the commissioner of Karachi for immediate implementation.
Separately, the Home Department issued a notification through the Sindh Government Gazette appointing Sindh High Court Justice Agha Faisal as a single-member commission of inquiry to probe the fire incident at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre.
The Sindh Government Gazette notification dated February 10, 2026, announcing the appointment of Sindh High Court Justice Agha Faisal to head a single-member Commission of Inquiry into the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre fire incident. Photo: Govt. of Sindh
The commission has been constituted under Section 3 of the Sindh Tribunal of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, and has been tasked with completing its inquiry within eight weeks. The commissioner’s office will provide secretariat support to the commission.
According to the terms of reference outlined in the notification, the commission will examine the legality of building approvals and lease extensions granted by the Sindh Building Control Authority and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. It will also assess whether the construction at Gul Plaza violated approved building plans, particularly in relation to obstructions affecting emergency evacuation.
The inquiry will further evaluate fire safety arrangements at the building, including the implementation of safety audits and any lapses on the part of building management or government agencies. The commission will also review the response time and effectiveness of rescue operations carried out after the incident and determine responsibility for any acts of omission or commission by government officials or the building management.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said the government would ensure there was no delay in providing relief to the affected victims. He said the investigation aims to establish the facts through strict measures and to hold those responsible for negligence accountable.
