Showbiz figures express anger, grief over 'heartbreaking' Gul Plaza tragedy

Artists condemn systemic failures, demand accountability and reforms

The tragic fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger from the country's entertainment fraternity, with prominent artists questioning official negligence and demanding structural reforms. The blaze, which gutted decades-old family businesses and claimed multiple lives, has once again raised concerns about fire safety, urban regulation and commercial governance in the country’s economic capital.

A massive fire broke out at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road late on Saturday night, around 10:15pm, rapidly engulfing the multi-storey commercial building while it was still occupied by shopkeepers, employees and customers.

The blaze raged for nearly 36 hours, causing large sections of the structure to collapse and trapping dozens inside amid thick smoke and flames. Rescue teams later confirmed extensive structural damage, with nearly 60% of the plaza collapsing, as firefighting and search operations continued under hazardous conditions due to the risk of further collapse.

Read: Gul Plaza tragedy leaves hundreds of families in despair

Celebrities, including Sarwat Gilani, Mahira Khan, Sajal Aly, Hania Aamir and Mishi Khan, took to social media to condemn the incident, express solidarity with affected families and call for accountability.

Gilani described the tragedy as “heartbreaking”, saying the losses were not limited to buildings or merchandise but represented “generations of family businesses wiped out overnight”. She urged the government and civic authorities to move beyond assigning blame, stressing that victims needed swift rehabilitation and financial support.

Aly said watching scenes from the site “broke her heart”, offering condolences to families who lost loved ones in the fire. Mishi released an emotional video after viewing footage from the location, calling the destruction devastating and accusing officials of what she described as "criminal negligence".

Mahira questioned whether the incident was an accident or the result of "systemic failure", asking who would be held accountable for the lives lost. She said she had previously visited the building and found its exit routes inadequate, calling for reforms and transparent investigations.

Aamir termed the incident “heart-wrenching”, stating that negligence and institutional indifference had robbed people of their futures. She added that expressions of sympathy alone were insufficient and stressed the need for accountability and strict regulatory enforcement.

Read More: Gul plaza blaze

Other celebrities, including rapper Eva B and actor Minal Khan, shared personal memories associated with Gul Plaza and lamented Karachi’s deteriorating civic conditions. Minal wrote that Karachi, despite being the country’s economic engine, was treated like an “abandoned orphan”, neglected by both provincial and federal authorities.

Filmmaker Adnan Malik said he had visited the site a month earlier and found the building’s design unsafe and claustrophobic, echoing concerns raised by actor Yashma Gill regarding inadequate fire safety measures and lack of oversight in commercial complexes.

The collective response from the entertainment industry reflected a growing trend of artists speaking out on civic issues, governance failures and public safety. Many noted that while such tragedies often sparked outrage, they frequently faded from public discourse without addressing the structural failures in urban planning and regulation.