KARACHI: An Additional District and Sessions Court has extended the interim bail of Tanveer Pasta and other accused in the Gul Plaza fire case.
The blaze, which erupted at Gul Plaza on the night of January 17, claimed dozens of lives and continued for more than 32 hours before firefighters managed to extinguish it.
According to the investigation, Gul Plaza President Tanveer Pasta, Vice President Ammar Ismail, General Secretary Muhammad Ameen, Joint Secretary Muhammad Ramzan, along with 11-year-old Huzaifa and his father Naimatullah, were nominated as accused. The prosecution had previously rejected the police investigation report on two occasions.
At Tuesday’s hearing, the investigating officer informed the court that the final charge sheet had not yet been completed and requested an additional week to finalize and submit it. He also stated that extra time would be sought from the Judicial Magistrate for the completion of the challan.
The court instructed the investigating officer to present the complete investigation report at the next hearing, emphasizing that a mere progress update would not be acceptable. The judge also cautioned investigators against making premature statements to the media, noting that incomplete information could undermine public confidence in the investigation.
The court further asked whether the investigation had uncovered any concrete evidence against the individuals named in the case.
During the proceedings, Prosecutor Rana Khaleeq argued that the union president had allegedly directed that electricity to the plaza be disconnected. However, defense counsel Sheikh Javed maintained that cutting off power after a fire was a routine safety measure. He further argued that reports prepared by the commissioner and magistrate had placed responsibility on the relevant government institutions rather than the accused.
After hearing both sides, the court extended the interim bail of the accused and adjourned the matter until August 4, directing the investigating officer to submit the finalized investigation report at the next hearing.
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