Karachi Court Orders Trial of 11-Year-Old for Deadly Gul Plaza Fire

A Karachi court has ordered an 11-year-old boy to stand trial in connection with a catastrophic fire at the Gul Plaza shopping complex that resulted in 72 fatalities. The minor faces arson charges for his alleged role in one of the city’s deadliest commercial building disasters. Legal Proceedings for Minor The judicial order follows a preliminary investigation into the origins of the blaze. Authorities allege the child was responsible for igniting the fire, which rapidly engulfed the multi-storey trade center. Under Pakistan's Juvenile Justice System Act (JJSA), the trial will be conducted in a specialized juvenile court to account for the defendant's age and legal protections. Legal counsel for the minor has argued for leniency, citing the child's age and a lack of criminal intent. However, prosecutors contend that the scale of the tragedy, which claimed 72 lives, necessitates a formal trial to determine accountability and investigate potential negligence by the building's management and safety inspectors. Fire Safety and Enforcement The Gul Plaza incident has renewed scrutiny of fire safety protocols and the lack of emergency infrastructure in Karachi’s congested commercial…