The Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court has appointed Justice Agha Faisal to head a judicial commission to investigate the deadly Gul Plaza fire incident in Karachi.

According to official sources, the commission will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the causes of the fire and determine responsibility for the tragedy.

The duration and terms of reference of the commission will be notified by the Sindh government.

The Sindh government had earlier constituted an investigation committee headed by the Karachi commissioner and the additional inspector general of police to probe the incident. A separate cabinet committee, led by the chief minister and comprising senior ministers, was also formed.

However, after the commissioner’s report was submitted, several stakeholders raised objections to its findings.

To address these concerns, a sub-committee under the chief minister decided to request the formation of a judicial commission headed by a serving judge. Consequently, the Sindh government wrote to the chief justice on January 29, seeking the establishment of such a body.

Following the request, the chief justice, on February 4, notified the judicial commission under Justice Agha Faisal.

The fire broke out at Gul Plaza at around 10:15 p.m. on January 17, killing 79 people and leaving 12 others seriously injured. The blaze was so intense that identification of several victims proved difficult, even through DNA testing.

Seven victims have yet to be identified, while families continue to wait for the return of their loved ones’ remains.

The judicial commission will submit its findings to the Sindh government. Officials said the report is expected to play a key role in determining accountability and shaping future administrative and legal action against those found responsible.