KARACHI: Police have submitted the challan in the Gul Plaza fire case to the prosecution, nominating six suspects, including an 11-year-old boy, while declaring all of them absconders, according to the investigation report.

The report classifies the fire, which claimed 72 lives, as accidental based on forensic findings. Analysis conducted by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency on samples collected from the scene found no traces of explosive material. Investigators also said the remains of four victims have yet to be claimed.

According to the investigation, the fire originated in Shop No. 193, owned by Naimatullah, who allegedly left the premises under the supervision of his 11-year-old son, Huzaifa.

The report states that the blaze broke out after the child allegedly lit matchsticks and threw them, igniting artificial flowers stored inside the shop. Investigators held both the shop owner and his son responsible for negligence.

The investigation also attributes responsibility to the market administration, alleging that it failed to prevent a minor from working unsupervised, did not immediately alert emergency services after the fire erupted, and failed to unlock the building’s main gates in time, trapping people inside.

According to the report, the market committee also instructed K-Electric to disconnect electricity to the building, leaving the plaza in darkness and making evacuation more difficult.

The nominated suspects include shop owner Naimatullah, his son Huzaifa, market committee president Tanveer Pasta, vice-president Ammar Ismail, general secretary Muhammad Amin and joint secretary Muhammad Ramzan.

Police said statements from four eyewitnesses were recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code during the investigation. However, sources said the findings of the Gul Plaza Judicial Commission were not included in the challan.

The Gul Plaza fire broke out on January 17, 2026, engulfing the ground-plus-three-storey commercial building and triggering a partial collapse that left 72 people dead.

A manslaughter case was subsequently registered, and investigators launched an inquiry into the cause of the fire and possible negligence.

An earlier attempt to submit the charge sheet was returned by prosecutors, who directed investigators to address deficiencies by including site inspection reports, building records, details of former market committee officials and documents related to an anti-corruption case concerning the plaza’s alleged unauthorised construction.

Investigators also concluded that the building lacked adequate fire safety measures, emergency exits remained locked during the incident, and no evidence of explosives or accelerants was found during the forensic examination.