KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday announced a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for traders and victims affected by the deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, including financial compensation, temporary commercial spaces and interest-free loans.
Addressing the Sindh Assembly during a policy statement, the chief minister said that shopkeepers impacted by the blaze would be given Rs500,000 each as compensation. He added that the provincial government would also provide alternative commercial space to enable traders to resume their businesses while long-term reconstruction plans are finalised.
The fire, which broke out late on Saturday night, January 17, at the Gul Plaza shopping centre on MA Jinnah Road, claimed at least 71 lives, while dozens of people were still reported missing. The incident has been described as one of the deadliest commercial building fires in the city’s recent history.
CM Murad Ali Shah informed the assembly that the inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident had completed its work and submitted its report. He said Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar had been instructed to register a formal first information report against individuals or entities found responsible for negligence.
He assured the house that accountability would be ensured and that those whose actions or failures contributed to the tragedy would be proceeded against in accordance with the law.
The chief minister said relief funds for the victims’ families had already been released and that distribution would be carried out through the offices of the relevant commissioners to ensure transparency and timely delivery.
Outlining measures for affected traders, he said the provincial government had identified two vacant commercial buildings, one comprising around 500 shops and another with approximately 350 shops. These premises would be provided to Gul Plaza shopkeepers on a rent-free basis for one year as temporary arrangements.
In addition, he said space at the Parking Plaza would also be made available to accommodate more traders displaced by the fire.
CM Murad Ali Shah said that, with the cooperation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, further alternative commercial spaces were expected to be arranged within the next two months. He added that interest-free loans of up to Rs100 million would be offered to affected traders to help them restart their businesses and cover financial losses suffered due to the disaster.
The chief minister also confirmed that structural assessments had declared the Gul Plaza building unsafe. As a result, he said, the structure would have to be demolished to prevent further risk to life and property.
He assured the assembly that the Sindh government would undertake the reconstruction of Gul Plaza. The rebuilt structure, he said, would contain the same number of shops as before, with no additional units added.
Once reconstruction is completed, the affected shopkeepers would be allotted shops in the new building, he added, reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting traders and victims during what he described as a difficult and painful period for the city.
