KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has invited bids from contractors for the demolition of Karachi’s fire-ravaged Gul Plaza building, ARY News reported.
According to an advertisement published in newspapers, the SBCA has sought bids from contractors for the demolition of the damaged building.
The SBCA’s demolition team will supervise the demolition process. Contractors can submit their bids until November 20, while technical and financial proposals have been invited separately.
The tender will be awarded after the bids are submitted and evaluated.
A devastating fire broke out at Gul Plaza on the night of January 17, killing more than 73 people. The blaze continued for over 32 hours before it was brought under control.
Earlier, a city court rejected a plea filed by Gul Plaza President Tanveer Pasta and other co-accused seeking the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), observing that JITs are constituted exclusively for terrorism cases.
The court continued hearing the Gul Plaza fire case, with Tanveer Pasta and other accused appearing before it.
During the hearing, defence counsel Javed Mir argued that despite previous court orders to include government institutions in the investigation, the new investigation officer (IO) had attempted to shield government organisations.
He said no action had been taken against the builder by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), while the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), SBCA and Fire Brigade had been given a clean chit.
The lawyer also pointed out that the IO had failed to record the statement of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) South.
Mir told the court that although the fire had erupted on the ground floor, a father and son were nominated as accused despite the father not being present at the scene.
He further argued that around 5,000 people managed to evacuate the building, while several others lost their lives due to what he described as severe negligence and incompetence on the part of government institutions.
