Sanaullah backs MQM-P's 'genuine' demand for Gul Plaza judicial probe

Says such matters can be resolved through consensus; adds Pakistan should stand with Bangladesh on World Cup stance

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday welcomed the "genuine" demand by coalition partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for a judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza fire, saying it should be heard.

The MQM-P demanded earlier today that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif form a high-level judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza tragedy, accusing the Sindh government and Karachi’s civic authorities of negligence, delays, and misleading the public.

Speaking on programme 'Naya Pakistan' on a private news broadcaster, Sanaullah said that in a democracy, every individual and political party had the right to raise demands or protest incidents. “If MQM has made a demand or has a specific viewpoint, it should be welcomed and listened to,” he added.

Read More: MQM-P demands judicial inquiry into Gul Plaza tragedy

He said it was up to the federal cabinet to decide whether to act on MQM’s demand. “If there is potential for action, there is no objection in implementing it. If not, the MQM can be argued with. Similarly, if the PPP has a different perspective, it should also be given value and listened to,” Sanaullah said.

“There is nothing to be upset about. This is the essence of democracy — everyone should have the freedom to speak,” the senator added.

He further said that decisions on such matters were not difficult for the government, which could resolve them through consensus. “If consensus is reached, there is no objection to taking action, whether it involves constitutional amendments or exercising constitutional powers,” he said.

The blaze would rage for nearly two days and reduce Gul Plaza, a multi-storey complex of 1,200 family-run shops selling children's clothes, toys, crockery and household goods, to ash.

At least 71 people were killed, with 15 still missing and feared dead, police official Asad Ali Raza said, in the January 17 blaze — Karachi's largest in over a decade.

Pakistan should stand with Bangladesh: Sanaullah

On questions regarding Pakistan’s participation in the T20 World Cup and support for Bangladesh, the PML-N leader said, “Prima facie, I personally believe we should stand with Bangladesh. In the long run, it will be in our interest. Yes, we may suffer some financial loss in cricket, but that can be managed.”

His statement comes after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) over what he described as unfair treatment of Bangladesh in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup dispute.

Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, said he had raised Pakistan’s concerns directly at ICC forums, urging the world governing body to treat all member nations equally.

Read: ICC names Scotland as replacement for Bangladesh at T20 World Cup 2026

When asked whether Pakistan could consider a boycott of the T20 World Cup, he said the decision would rest with the country’s leadership, while also suggesting that the ICC should explore a hybrid model for Bangladesh.

Sanaullah added that supporting Bangladesh could have long-term benefits for bilateral relations. “If Pakistan stands with Bangladesh today, we may enter into a relationship where, like two brothers, both countries support each other and move forward together,” he said, referring to the separation that occurred in 1971.

When asked if Pakistan was supporting Bangladesh or anti-Sheikh Hasina groups, he said, “We should not get into those details. We are standing with Bangladesh, which is opposing India, a country that is our enemy.”

He criticised India’s interventions in Bangladesh, saying that New Delhi’s involvement in local politics had created the current situation.

Sanaullah backs court decision in Imaan Mazari case

Sanaullah also defended an Islamabad court’s decision to sentence human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, to prison terms, saying that no one should be allowed to cross certain boundaries or insult uniformed personnel.

He said there were two perspectives regarding the case. “On one hand, there is a viewpoint in their favour, but on the other, there is the perspective that they were repeatedly given opportunities, repeatedly told to conduct cross-examination, yet they repeatedly mocked and disrespected the court,” he said.

Sanaullah said he considered Mazari “like my sister or daughter” but added that “the manner of expression and the attitude they have adopted insults the uniformed personnel, the people who are sacrificing their lives for this country.”

Read: Islamabad court sentences Imaan, Hadi to 17-year prison terms in social media posts case

He said that no one should be allowed to cross such limits and that those engaging in such acts should refrain from doing so.

Sanaullah said that if they had disagreements with the government, believed judicial independence had been curtailed or thought Parliament had made a wrong amendment, “they are free to criticise the government, target it with their remarks, even use strong language if they wish”.

However, he added that “under the current circumstances, when we are raising the funerals of martyrs every day, they should at least exercise some restraint.”

The premier's aide said they should not post on social media against institutions.

Rejecting the claim that they were denied the right to cross-examine in court, Sanaullah said the court was following due procedure. “If the court did not act this way, the cross-examination would have continued for years, evidence would not have been completed, and the trial could not have concluded,” he said.

The senator added that during trials, when people know the allegations against them have been proven, “people adopt certain tactics to delay the conclusion of the trial, and sometimes the court also takes a coercive approach to ensure the matter is concluded".