A plea by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to compel the Sindh government to publicize the judicial commission report on the deadly Gul Plaza fire has been dismissed by the provincial information commission, which ruled that the case remains under active investigation. Main Developments The Sindh Information Commission (SIC) on Wednesday rejected an application from MQM-P seeking the release of the Gul Plaza fire inquiry report. The commission, comprising information commissioners Muhammad Saleem Khan and Noor Muhammad Dayo, heard arguments from the petitioner's counsel, M Tariq Mansoor, and multiple respondents before issuing its order. The SIC determined that the request fell under exceptions outlined in Section 10(1), (F) and (G) of the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016. These provisions allow withholding information that could compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal confidential sources, or impede crime prevention and prosecution. Read also: Why Internet Shutdown Threatens AJK Election Integrity During the hearing, DSP Aamir Virk, the newly appointed investigation officer in the Gul Plaza fire case, informed the commission that the matter is still under investigation and that necessary documents from relevant departments have yet to be obtained. Notably, both the current and previous investigation officers stated they had not reviewed the Gul Plaza inquiry commission report or the commissioner's report on the incident. Three of the four respondents told the SIC they did not hold the record, indicating it resides with the office of the Sindh chief secretary. The chief secretary, however, wrote to the commission that the information cannot be disseminated at this stage because the matter is under an implementation process, claiming an exception under the Information Act. Background The MQM-P originally filed its complaint in May 2026 through Advocate Mansoor before the SIC, invoking the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016, and Article 19-A of the Constitution. The party sought a directive for the provincial government to make the judicial commission report on the Gul Plaza fire public. The complaint named the chief secretary, secretaries of the law department, and other officials as respondents. MQM-P contended that the incident report directly relates to the right to life and is a matter of extreme public importance. Advocate Mansoor argued that the inquiry commission was constituted to fix responsibility and punish those involved in the incident, alleging gross criminal negligence, mismanagement, and corruption in government departments. Why It Matters The commission's order underscores a tension between transparency and ongoing criminal investigations, particularly in cases involving loss of life. The SIC acknowledged that the Gul Plaza fire involved "precious lives, liberties and properties of citizens," yet determined that immediate disclosure could hinder the investigation, identify confidential sources, or prejudice the apprehension of offenders. For MQM-P and advocacy groups, the ruling delays accountability and public scrutiny of a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and affected hundreds. The party's counsel argued that making the report public would ensure transparency and help prevent similar incidents in the future. What's Next The SIC directed that once the investigation is completed, the investigation officer will file a challan making all essential information and documents part of the record. That record, upon cognizance by a judicial magistrate, will become public. Until then, the commission has effectively closed the door on MQM-P's request, leaving the party with the option of pursuing the matter through other legal avenues or awaiting the conclusion of the criminal investigation.