Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar has approached the Sindh Information Commission for the Gul Plaza fire’s inquiry report and the relevant official records to be immediately released to the public.
Accompanied by Advocate Mushir Tariq Mansoor, Dr Sattar submitted a formal application to the commission, demanding access to the complete investigation report and the proceedings of the Gul Plaza inquiry commission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sattar described the Gul Plaza incident as one of Karachi’s most catastrophic tragedies that left more than 84 people dead and injured over 200 others. He said that despite the passage of over four months, the affected families are still awaiting justice.
He pointed out that bringing all the facts surrounding such disasters before the public and identifying those responsible are both a legal and a moral obligation of state institutions. He said that the four-volume inquiry commission report apparently contained references to alleged negligence and failures on the part of several government officials and relevant institutions. However, he lamented, neither the victims’ families nor the public have been granted access to the report.
He stressed that the principles of transparency and accountability demand that the findings be made public so that responsibility can be fixed and justice delivered to the victims. Referring to the Sindh Transparency & Right to Information Act, 2016, Dr Sattar said the legislation grants citizens a fundamental and legal right to access information. He, therefore, called upon the relevant authorities to immediately provide the inquiry report and all the associated documents.
Expressing hope in the commission’s role, he said the Sindh Information Commission would issue directives for the publication of the complete inquiry report in accordance with the requirements of law, transparency and justice so that the bereaved families can finally receive justice and measures can be taken to prevent similar tragedies.
He also said the MQM-P stands firmly with the victims in their struggle for justice, and would continue its constitutional and legal efforts until all the facts surrounding the Gul Plaza incident are brought fully before the public.
