KARACHI, Jan. 20 -- A petition was filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday, urging the initiation of "criminal, departmental and contempt proceedings" against officials deemed responsible for the deadly Gul Plaza fire. The petitioners, Advocate Saleem Michael and Muhammad Haris, named the Sindh government, Sindh Building Control Authority, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, chief fire officer, Sindh Emergency Rescue Service director general, South deputy commissioner, and director general of civil defence as respondents.

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The petition stated that the tragedy was not an unavoidable accident but a direct result of gross negligence, failed inspections, non-enfor...