In a major development following the devastating Karachi mall fire at Gul Plaza, four key prosecution witnesses recorded their statements before a judicial magistrate on February 10, 2026. Specifically, a 13-year-old eyewitness, Aryan, provided a chilling account of how the blaze started. Consequently, the legal proceedings are now shifting focus toward the negligence of the building management and the lack of basic fire safety protocols. Notably, this testimony coincides with the official Sindh Government gazette notification of the Justice Agha Faisal commission, which has been tasked to finalize its investigation within eight weeks.
The “Matchstick” Incident: How It All Began
During the hearing under Section 164, 13-year-old Aryan told Judicial Magistrate (South) Aasim Aslam that the fire originated at Shop No. 193—an artificial flower shop. Indeed, he claimed he saw his friend, the 11-year-old son of the shop owner, playing with matchsticks inside the shop just before the flames erupted. Furthermore, other witnesses, including salesmen Waleed and Hamza, corroborated that the fire spread with “uncontrollable speed” because the artificial flowers were fixed with screws and could not be moved, acting as an immediate fuel source for the inferno.
Structural Failures and Blocked Exits
The January 17 tragedy, which claimed at least 80 lives, has exposed systemic failures in Karachi’s urban planning. As a result, the investigation has highlighted three major safety violations that turned the plaza into a death trap:
- Blocked Emergency Routes: Several exit gates were found locked or encroached upon by stalls.
- Power Cut Tactics: Witnesses testified that the building’s lights were switched off during the fire, causing mass panic and suffocation in the dark.
- Flammable Inventory: The ground-floor shops were packed with highly combustible plastic and chemicals, with no functional sprinkler system in place.
The Judicial Commission’s Mandate
After weeks of delay, the Sindh government officially notified the single-member judicial commission today. Notably, Justice Agha Faisal of the Sindh High Court will now lead the probe. As outlined, his team will evaluate:
- The legality of the building’s lease and construction plan.
- The effectiveness of the KMC fire department’s response time.
- Why previous fire safety audits from 2024 and 2025 were completely ignored by the management.
| Key Incident Detail | Current Status (Feb 10, 2026) |
| Total Casualties | 80 Dead, 20+ Injured |
| Primary Suspect | Negligence (Manslaughter FIR at Nabi Bux PS) |
| Judicial Lead | Justice Agha Faisal (Notified today) |
| Compensation | Rs 10 Million per deceased family (Sindh Govt) |
Conclusion: A Test Case for Karachi’s Safety
In conclusion, the Karachi mall fire at Gul Plaza is more than just an accident; it is a reflection of the city’s unchecked urban growth. By recording these eyewitness accounts, the court is moving closer to fixing responsibility on those who compromised human lives for commercial gain. Stay tuned as the judicial commission begins its formal site visits later this week to determine if the building structure remains safe for any future use.
