Gul Plaza Karachi: 72 Tote nach Brandkatastrophe – Elfjähriger angeklagt
Published on 07/05/2026 at 15:38 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A juvenile court in Karachi will hear the case of an 11-year-old boy accused of starting a devastating fire at the Gul Plaza shopping centre that claimed 72 lives earlier this year. The chargesheet, filed this weekend, also names five adults — including the boy's father and four members of the plaza's management committee — who face manslaughter charges over the January 17 blaze that destroyed more than 1,100 shops.
The Fire and Its Aftermath
The fire broke out on 17 January 2026 at the Gul Plaza complex, a commercial high-rise in central Karachi. In addition to the 72 fatalities, eight people were injured and 1,153 commercial units were gutted. Witnesses cited in the legal filings allege that the fire began while the child, identified as Huzaifa, was playing with matchsticks on the premises.
The 11-year-old will be processed through Pakistan's juvenile justice system. The adult suspects — Naimatullah (the boy's father), along with Tanveer Pasta, Amar Ismail, Muhammad Ramazan and Muhammad Ameen — are reported to be currently absconding.
Systemic Safety Failures
Investigations into the disaster revealed a catalogue of fire safety failures within the building. According to the chargesheet, the plaza lacked a functional fire hydrant system and backup emergency lighting. Emergency exits were locked at the time of the fire, and the available extinguishers were described as inadequate.
The management committee is also accused of failing to contact emergency services immediately when the blaze broke out. The prosecution has listed 42 witnesses to testify regarding these lapses and the subsequent response.
The Gul Plaza disaster is a stark reminder of what happens when fire protection is neglected. For UK businesses, having robust fire safety measures in place is a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — and it saves lives. A free Fire Safety Toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, evacuation plans, and extinguisher checklists to help you meet your obligations and protect your employees. Download the free Fire Safety Toolkit
Legal Proceedings
The adult suspects face multiple charges under the Pakistan Penal Code, including sections relating to negligent conduct involving fire or combustible matter, manslaughter (qatl-bis-sabab), and mischief by fire.
The court is expected to review the findings of a judicial commission report, which is scheduled to be filed at a later date. The case has drawn significant attention to the enforcement of fire safety regulations in commercial high-rises across Pakistan's largest city.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
