Hinting at holding protest demonstrations against the non-formation of a judicial commission on Gul Plaza inferno, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar said on Saturday that people would now not remain silent and hold those responsible accountable. Addressing a news conference in Karachi, he said that lease, mutation and regularization had nothing to do with the fire.

“These things are being said only to hold MQM-P responsible for the incident.” He complained that whenever questions were asked about a tragedy, it was said that the matter was being politicized. “The government is concealing facts from the public,” Farooq said, adding that questions were not being answered. He further said that there were some serious questions that needed to be answered.

One of the questions, the MQM-P leader went on to say, was why did the Karachi mayor reach the site 23 hours after the fire. “On the other hand, the commissioner Karachi and DIG arrived at the site after two and half hours.” He said that the Sindh government was giving different reasons in order to defend itself. Farooq said that out of 275 buildings in Karachi, 200 did not have fire alarms and the equipment to extinguish the blaze.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)