An 11-year-old boy will face trial for allegedly igniting the massive blaze that gutted Karachi’s Gul Plaza last year. The decision, handed down by a juvenile court following a lengthy investigation, marks a rare and contentious turn in the city’s legal history.
The fire, which broke out in the heart of the city’s commercial hub, resulted in millions of rupees in losses and left dozens of shopkeepers without a livelihood. While arson was suspected early on, the revelation that the primary suspect is a minor has shifted the focus from simple criminal negligence to the complexities of juvenile justice in Pakistan.
“We are dealing with a child who may not fully grasp the gravity of his actions,” said a defense lawyer familiar with the case, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The court now has to decide whether he is a criminal or a victim of circumstances.”
Police reports indicate the boy was apprehended after surveillance footage surfaced, showing him near the site moments before the smoke began to billow. Investigators claim he confessed to starting the fire during an interrogation, though child rights activists have already raised red flags regarding the methods used during that questioning.
The trial is set to test the limits of the Juvenile Justice System Act. Under the law, the boy’s identity remains protected, and the proceedings will be held in camera to ensure his privacy. Yet, for the shopkeepers who lost their inventories, the legal age of the suspect is secondary to the devastation of their businesses.
“My shop is gone. My savings are gone,” said Mohammad Iqbal, who owned a textile outlet in the plaza. “I don’t care how old the person is; I care about who is going to pay for this destruction.”
The prosecution plans to present forensic evidence and witness testimonies to establish a clear timeline of the incident. If convicted, the boy faces potential placement in a juvenile reformatory rather than a standard prison.
As the trial begins, the case forces a difficult conversation about child welfare in a city where street children are often exploited or overlooked. The court’s verdict won’t just determine the fate of one boy; it will set a precedent for how the state handles juvenile offenders in high-stakes criminal cases.
