Sindh Civil Defence neglect blamed in Gul Plaza tragedy

Due to continued neglect of Sindh Government in Kaeachi, the provincial Civil Defence Department has remained in a state of decline for the past 36 years.

In the Gul Plaza tragedy, while several institutions bear criminal responsibility, the alleged corruption and deliberate negligence of Civil Defence officials also played a significant role in allowing the fire to escalate.

Although the department faces shortages of staff and vehicles, the more alarming issue is the erosion of its core values.

Civil Defence is legally responsible not only for training employees of industrial and commercial units and petrol pumps, but also for ensuring the installation of fire safety equipment at these sites.

According to details, the Sindh government's failure to provide adequate funding and facilities has rendered the Civil Defence Department largely inactive for more than three decades. In the past, Civil Defence was recognised for its well-trained volunteers and siren system, which was used to alert the public during Ramadan, wartime situations, and natural disasters.