By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Karachi: Police have submitted the challan in the Gul Plaza fire case to the court, naming the market association as the main responsible party. The challan includes 87 witnesses and raises questions about fire safety arrangements at the commercial complex.
According to the police challan, investigators collected several pieces of evidence, including CCTV footage. The document states that no negligence was found against the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Fire Brigade or Civil Defence. More than 1,200 shops were operating in the building when the fire broke out, and more than 70 people were killed in the tragedy.
Forensic Report Finds No Explosive Material
The forensic report cited in the challan found no explosive material at the site. It also found no traces of any flammable liquid.
However, the report identified residue left behind after burning in some of the recovered items.
The challan also details alleged negligence by the Gul Plaza administration and examines the fire safety arrangements inside the building and its shops. Statements from several people regarding the available safety measures have also been included in the investigation record.
How the Gul Plaza Fire Happened
Gul Plaza was a major commercial centre on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi. A major fire broke out there on the night of January 17, 2026, quickly engulfing the building.
Firefighting and rescue operations continued for around two days. The complex had more than 1,200 shops, while the death toll rose to more than 70.
Rescue teams recovered a large number of bodies from the debris. At one stage, 30 bodies were reportedly recovered from a single shop, contributing to the sharp rise in the reported death toll.
Fire Safety Arrangements Under Scrutiny
Investigations following the tragedy raised serious concerns over the fire safety arrangements at Gul Plaza. An investigation report cited in the source said the building had no fire alarm, smoke detectors or sprinkler system, while several emergency exit routes were obstructed.
A Civil Defence official also told the judicial commission that Gul Plaza underwent fire audits and inspections in 2024 and 2025. According to the official, the fire safety measures were found inadequate and corrective instructions were issued to the administration.
Challan Had Been Delayed Earlier
The submission of the police challan had previously been delayed. In August 2026, the court granted police until September 5 to submit it.
Police had informed the court that the investigation was complete but the challan would be filed after approval from senior officers.
Earlier, in June 2026, the prosecution raised objections to the challan submitted by police and directed investigators to add further evidence, CCTV footage and statements from additional witnesses.
Responsibility Remains a Key Issue
The latest police challan names the market association as the main responsible party. At the same time, information presented by police and the judicial commission differs over the role of government institutions.
According to the police challan, no negligence was found against KMC, the Fire Brigade or Civil Defence. The judicial commission, however, also examined broader systemic failures, fire safety shortcomings and the performance of different institutions.
With the challan now before the court, further legal proceedings will follow. The court will assess the evidence, witness statements and investigation findings in determining responsibility for the tragedy.
