RAWALPINDI: The Commercial Market Traders Association on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the deadly fire at the Gul Plaza Shopping Centre in Karachi, holding the authorities responsible for negligence and calling for transparent investigations along with strict action against those found at fault.
In a statement, the association said the incident had claimed valuable human lives and caused financial losses amounting to millions of rupees for traders, describing the tragedy as one that could have been prevented with effective safety measures and oversight.
Vice Chairman Hamad Qureshi, President Malik Sohail Awan, Senior Vice President Raja Aslam Kiyani, Group Leader Syed Taqi Shah, General Secretary Raja Zafar Yousuf, Mahfooz Khan and other office-bearers conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased traders. They offered prayers for the departed souls and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families during the difficult time.
The association said the recurrence of major fires in Karachi reflected a persistent failure to strengthen fire safety standards, rescue services and emergency response systems. It warned that the lack of effective monitoring and enforcement had contributed to the increasing number of such incidents in the city.
The traders’ body demanded immediate financial assistance for those affected by the Gul Plaza fire and urged the authorities to strictly enforce fire safety regulations in all commercial buildings to prevent future tragedies and protect lives and property.
Separately, former Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan and Convener of the FPCCI Standing Committee on Energy, Rafiq Suleman, also expressed profound sorrow over the fire at Gul Plaza and the deaths of nearly two dozen people. He accused the Labour Department, fire safety authorities and Civil Defence of failing to fulfil their responsibilities.
He called on the government to conduct a transparent inquiry and to impose the strictest punishments on any institution or individual whose negligence or incompetence was established in connection with the incident.
Suleman said initial assessments pointed to negligence on the part of the Fire Brigade. He added that it was alarming that the tanker mafia across the city continued to steal and sell water, while the Fire Brigade cited water shortages whenever major fire incidents occurred.
He urged the Supreme Court to take immediate suo motu notice of the tragedy and called on the government to form a committee comprising representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Gul Plaza Association and other trader organisations. The committee, he said, should urgently focus on rehabilitating those affected and ensuring the provision of full financial assistance.
According to Suleman, more than 21 people lost their lives in the Gul Plaza fire, while around 73 individuals were still missing. He stressed that fire alarm systems were the most critical requirement for saving human lives during such emergencies.
He said that whenever similar incidents occurred, the government announced plans to implement fire safety measures in commercial buildings, but these commitments eventually faded without being put into practice.
Recalling previous fires at Bolton Market and Cooperative Market, Suleman noted that President Asif Ali Zardari had formed a committee under the leadership of the late Siraj Kassam Teli to provide financial assistance to traders affected by the Bolton Market incident. He appealed to the federal government and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to take emergency measures for the restoration of businesses damaged in the Gul Plaza tragedy.
He said the business community would fully cooperate with its affected members but emphasised that federal and provincial ministers must take practical steps rather than relying on statements alone.
