The Karachi Restoration Movement has accused the Mayor and Commissioner of Karachi, along with other senior city officials, of influencing the official investigation into the recent tragedy and has demanded that a criminal investigation be launched against them for negligence and conspiracy.
In a letter written today to Justice Agha Rafiq, the head of the inquiry commission, the movement’s leader Ashraf Qureshi demanded the initiation of criminal proceedings, emphasizing that the real culprits must be re-named in the First Information Report (FIR) to meet legal requirements.
In a statement, Mr. Qureshi insisted that his organization, along with the victims and eyewitnesses, be formally made a part of the commission, either as witnesses or plaintiffs. He also advocated for the filing of a new FIR by the families of the deceased and the submission of camera recordings of the incident as evidence.
The movement expressed surprise that despite being identified, the Mayor of Karachi, Commissioner of Karachi, DC South, Municipal Commissioner KMC, Chief Fire Officer, DG SBCA, MD Water Board, and various relief agencies were not implicated. Mr. Qureshi claimed that these individuals are influencing the commission’s work while remaining in their official positions, which he said compromises the investigation’s transparency. He also pointed out that the president of the relevant union was not arrested.
Mr. Qureshi accused the government of trying to manage the situation to “gain time and reduce pressure.”
He alleged that the response to the incident was mishandled, stating, “The drama of firefighting was staged for show. Human lives were played with by making grave mistakes.” The movement is demanding that those responsible for negligence be punished under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder/qatl-i-amd) of the penal code.
Further suggestions include the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising public representatives and key stakeholders of Karachi.
The organization has also demanded a halt to any reconstruction of the affected building until the commission’s final decision. To help those displaced, the movement urged arranging a monthly stipend for alternative rent and shelter for the victims and compensating the shopkeepers and tenants for their financial losses.