The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Tuesday called on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to remove Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon following the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi.

Addressing a joint press conference, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said the party was demanding accountability over the incident, which claimed at least 73 lives and affected around 1,200 shops. He reiterated MQM-P’s call for a judicial commission to investigate the blaze and determine responsibility.

The fire broke out at Gul Plaza on January 17 and took nearly two days to be brought under control, according to officials. The incident has raised serious questions about building safety, regulatory enforcement, and emergency preparedness in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.

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Sattar said MQM-P would not withdraw its demand for a judicial inquiry, regardless of what he described as pressure tactics, including the alleged withdrawal of security for party leaders — a claim the provincial government has denied. He argued that the issue should not be politicised and said the focus must remain on justice for the victims.

Call for federal intervention

Criticising the Sindh government’s handling of the tragedy, Sattar said Karachi should be handed over to the federal government if the provincial administration was unable to fulfil its responsibilities. He questioned whether the provincial authorities could guarantee the security of MQM-P leaders and suggested that the city required a clear administrative decision rather than Governor’s Rule.

In response, Sharjeel Inam Memon rejected MQM-P’s demands, saying he would not resign at the party’s request. He said a judicial commission would be formed if shortcomings were identified during the ongoing investigation and accused MQM-P of politicising the tragedy before the completion of official inquiries.

Separately, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Gul Plaza had been regularised in 2003 and claimed that documentation showed the shopping mall was leased during Farooq Sattar’s tenure. He added that the final investigation report had yet to be released and urged restraint until the probe was concluded.