Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon Blames Administration in Gul Plaza Incident

Karachi: Sindh’s senior minister, Sharjeel Memon, has stated that the administration was also at fault in the Gul Plaza incident. According to Memon, the authorities were warned twice about safety issues in the building, but they failed to take appropriate action, which contributed to the tragedy.

Sharjeel Memon further highlighted that the building owner’s negligence played a major role in the disaster. He said that investigations have revealed several lapses by the builder, including violations of safety and fire regulations, which worsened the outcome of the incident.

The minister also mentioned that a judicial commission has been set up to investigate the incident. He assured the public that the commission’s recommendations would be fully implemented to ensure accountability and prevent similar disasters in the future.

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To prevent further tragedies, Sharjeel Memon emphasized that all commercial and residential buildings will undergo thorough safety audits. Any building that fails to comply with the audit requirements will face strict penalties, including possible closure, he added.

The Gul Plaza incident on January 17, 2026, at Karachi’s M.A. Jinnah Road, resulted in a massive fire that lasted for three days, claiming over 70 lives. The incident raised public outrage, and political parties, as well as civil society, demanded stronger enforcement of safety regulations and the formation of a judicial commission.