'Institutions fail to cooperate in Gul Plaza fire probe'

The investigation into the Gul Plaza fire case has been hindered by a lack of cooperation from government departments, the investigating officer (IO) told a sessions court on Wednesday.

DSP Aamir Waraich, appointed on court orders to reinvestigate the case, submitted a progress report before the court of the additional district and sessions judge (South), stating that multiple public institutions had failed to respond to official correspondence.

According to the report, letters were sent to at least eight institutions - including the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 - but none provided replies or nominated relevant officers. The institutions also failed to respond to a questionnaire issued as part of the inquiry.

IO Waraich informed the court that the reinvestigation had been initiated following judicial directions. He further requested cancellation of bail granted to accused Tanveer Pasta and others, alleging that they were interfering in the probe.

The report was submitted by IO Waraich as part of ongoing proceedings in the case related to the Gul Plaza blaze. The court is expected to take up the matter at the next hearing.