KARACHI: Karachi’s Mayor, Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui, revealed on Friday that 1,200 free stalls will be established for traders impacted by the tragic fire at Gul Plaza. These stalls will be located at the Polo Ground within the Red Zone, offering immediate relief to shopkeepers during the holy month of Ramadan.
In his statement, the mayor directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to develop a detailed rehabilitation strategy for the victims of the incident. He emphasized that, as the rebuilding process of Gul Plaza has not yet commenced, support would be provided to the affected traders in the interim.
Mayor Wahab instructed KMC officials to work closely with both the traders and the building’s management to ensure the efficient rollout of the relief plan. He clarified that the Polo Ground has been designated as the venue for setting up the stalls, with no charges levied on the traders.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party, the Sindh government, and the KMC stand united with the victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy,” Wahab stated. He acknowledged that Ramadan is a crucial trading period and assured the traders of all possible assistance during this challenging time.
Expressing his condolences, Barrister Wahab said that PPP shares the grief of those affected and remains dedicated to their rehabilitation efforts.
About the Gul Plaza FireOn the night of January 17, a devastating fire erupted at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road, resulting in at least 79 fatalities, with many individuals still unaccounted for. The blaze raged for over 32 hours before being contained, exposing significant deficiencies in the city’s emergency response mechanisms.
An official investigation revealed several safety violations, including delayed emergency action and structural deficiencies that facilitated rapid fire spread and trapped numerous occupants inside. The inquiry identified that the fire started when a matchstick ignited artificial flowers in Shop No. 193 on the ground floor. The presence of highly flammable materials led to the fire intensifying within minutes.
Initial firefighting efforts were hindered by a slow water supply and inadequate equipment. The report also highlighted the absence of fire alarms and sprinkler systems in Gul Plaza. Failure to cut off the electricity supply promptly worsened the situation, while blocked or insufficient emergency exits left many with no escape route.
The investigation concluded that neglecting fire safety regulations and ignoring safety audits significantly contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
