Farooq Sattar Moves Sindh Information Commission for Release of Gul Plaza Tragedy Inquiry Report
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan senior central leader Dr Farooq Sattar has approached the Sindh Information Commission for the public release of the inquiry report and relevant official record related to the Gul Plaza tragedy.
Dr Sattar, accompanied by Advocate Mushir Tariq Mansoor, submitted an application to the commission seeking provision of the complete investigation report and proceedings of the Gul Plaza Inquiry Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sattar said the Gul Plaza tragedy was among Karachi’s most tragic incidents, in which more than 84 citizens lost their lives and over 200 others were injured. He said the affected families were still waiting for justice even after the passage of one year.
He said bringing all facts of such tragedies before the public and determining those responsible was the legal and moral responsibility of state institutions.
Dr Sattar said the four-volume inquiry commission report mentions alleged negligence and lapses by several government officers and relevant institutions, but the victims and the public have not yet been given access to the report.
He said that under the requirements of transparency and accountability, the information should be made public so that those responsible could be identified and justice could be provided to the affected families.
Dr Sattar further said the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016 gives citizens a basic and legal right to access information. Therefore, he added, the relevant institutions should immediately provide the report and all related documents.
He expressed the hope that the Sindh Information Commission would issue orders for making the complete inquiry report of the Gul Plaza tragedy public while keeping in view the requirements of law, transparency and justice, so that the affected families could get justice.
