'Govt stopped electrical inspection 20 years ago'

Gul Plaza probe commission informed that lack of equipment, delays behind tragedy

KARACHI:

Startling revelations emerged during a session of the judicial commission, formed to investigate the Gul Plaza tragedy, including that electrical inspections in Karachi have remained suspended for the past 20 years. Officials also acknowledged that delays in reporting the fire to Rescue 1122 and the lack of heavy rescue equipment cost precious lives that could have saved. Most fatalities occurred on the ground floor and the mezzanine floor of the building.

The commission, headed by Justice Agha Faisal of the Sindh High Court, convened to review evidence and record statements.

Electrical inspection

Electric Inspector Pervez Ahmed appeared before the commission and explained that his department was responsible for inspecting electrical load and infrastructure, including checking fire-fighting equipment and its expiry. He disclosed that inspections have not been done for 20 years.

When Justice Agha Faisal asked why inspections had been halted, the inspector stated that the department had been directed by higher authorities, specifically the Energy Ministry, to stop conducting inspections. He submitted a notification to the commission, which the judge noted had been issued by the Irrigation and Power Department in 2003. Justice Faisal remarked that if inspections had already been ordered to stop by higher authorities, it raised questions about the department's current role.

Fire Brigade issues

Humayun Khan explained that he was appointed as a firefighter in 1991 and that recruitment in the fire brigade remained suspended since 2009. Out of 22 sanctioned posts, 12 are currently vacant. After 35 years, the chief fire officer was promoted into grade 19. He added that the fire brigade and urban search and rescue operate as one institution.

A video presentation was shown to the commission outlining the equipment available to the fire brigade and urban search and rescue. Journalist Muhammad Babar was also cross examined during the proceeding. He noted that only 29 types of equipment were listed, whereas standard operating procedures require 41.

Rescue 1122

Citizen rescuer Muhammad Danish also testified before the commission. Director General of Rescue 1122 Sindh, Syed Wajid Sibghatullah, questioned him about his training. Danish replied that he had completed a one-month Civil Defence course and reached Gul Plaza at 10.20pm. He said, he used a ladder from a KMC fire tender to rescue people and that the first official fire tender arrived after he was already into operation.