No timeframe for extinguishing Gul Plaza blaze: Karachi mayor

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said no timeframe could be given for the completion of firefighting and cooling operations, as the fire at the Gul Plaza shopping mall raged for more than 24 hours.

The city Mayor visited the fire-hit Gul Plaza, where angry citizens staged a protest on his arrival and chanted slogans. Speaking to the media, Wahab said he understood the public’s pain and frustration, adding that criticism of him was understandable in the circumstances.

“I cannot give any time for when the fire will be completely brought under control or when the cooling process will end,” he said, adding that rescue efforts to locate missing persons were continuing.

Read: Karachi Gul Plaza blaze still burning as 56 remain missing, death toll rises to six

The mayor said traders had informed authorities that firefighters could access the building through one particular route. He added that, according to residents, rescue operations were also being carried out from the rear side of the building. Firefighting teams, he said, had been engaged in efforts to control the blaze for over 24 hours.

Wahab said around 65 people were still reported missing, noting that rescue work was being hampered by the large number of people gathered at the site. He also confirmed that a firefighter had been martyred while performing his duties during the operation.

Responding to allegations of a delayed response, the mayor rejected claims that the fire brigade had arrived late. He said an emergency call was received at 10:27pm and fire brigade units reached the site within 15 minutes.

Sindh CM visits Gul Plaza, assures government support for victims

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the site of the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, reviewed rescue and firefighting operations, and met with affected shopkeepers and families. He assured them that the government will conduct a full investigation and provide all possible assistance to the victims.

Murad Ali Shah said the fire was reported after 10pm, with the first fire tender arriving at 10:27pm. A total of 26 fire tenders, four snorkels, and 10 water bowsers took part in the operation, supported by the Navy, KPT, and the Civil Aviation Authority.

The chief minister said that per reports six people, including a KMC firefighter, lost their lives, while 22 injured were treated and discharged. However, 58–60 people remain missing. He described the situation as alarming and prayed for their safety.

Briefing the media, Shah explained that the affected building had a basement, ground floor, and three upper floors with over 1,000 shops. Initial reports suggest the fire may have started due to a short circuit and spread rapidly because of flammable materials. He added that firefighters faced severe difficulties due to the building’s layout and limited access points, which worsened the damage.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visits the site of the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, Karachi. Photo: Sindh CM House

During the visit, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi briefed the Chief Minister on the incident and ongoing efforts.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, on Sunday, expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the tragic fire incident in Karachi and conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families. The president directed the Sindh government and the relevant authorities to provide immediate support to the affected people and traders.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

The federal government’s spokesperson for Sindh Affairs, Raja Khaliq Zaman Ansari, visited the fire-affected Gul Plaza and, conveying a special message from the PM, said that the federal government and the entire nation stand shoulder to shoulder with the affected people in this hour of grief.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, on Sunday, expressed deep grief and reaffirmed that human safety is the Sindh government’s foremost concern, with a detailed inquiry already underway.

While speaking to the media, Sharjeel emphasized that this is not the time for politics, urging everyone to focus on relief efforts and supporting the victims of the tragedy.

Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection Saeed Ghani assured that the Sindh government will provide financial compensation to the victims. He emphasized, however, that the immediate priority is to fully extinguish the blaze, rescue those trapped inside, and complete the search operation.

Read More: Outcry over Gul Plaza tragedy as traders, opposition demand relief

On Sunday, Ghani visited the affected plaza and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts. He sought details from officials supervising the operation and issued necessary instructions.

Speaking to the media later about building safety regulations, Ghani noted that Karachi has thousands of buildings and the government cannot enforce laws everywhere through force alone. He stressed the need for public cooperation and awareness, while pledging that the government will learn lessons from this tragedy and fulfill its responsibilities.

Later, Ghani and Deputy Mayor Salman Murad attended the funeral prayers of young trader Kashif Rehmatullah, who lost his life in the incident. They offered condolences to his father, Rehmatullah, father-in-law Yaqoob Memon, and other family members, and prayed for the deceased. The minister and deputy mayor also visited the family of another trader, Faraz, who perished in the fire, to express their sympathies.

Zardari urges use of all resources

President Asif Ali Zardari held a telephone conversation with the Sindh Chief Minister to inquire about the latest situation following the fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, which remained uncontrolled even after 24 hours.

The president stressed that all available resources should be utilized to ensure the success of rescue and firefighting operations.

Paying tribute to the bravery of firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who was martyred in the severe blaze, President Zardari asked the Sindh government to nominate him for a civil award in recognition of his courage.

He also directed the chief minister to ensure that no effort is spared in providing medical care to the injured and taking immediate steps for the rehabilitation of the homes of those affected.

The president emphasized the need for strict enforcement of fire safety laws and the modernization of safety inspection systems in commercial and residential buildings to prevent such incidents in the future.