Shabbar Naqvi
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday described the Gul Plaza fire as a deeply painful and sorrowful tragedy, saying the incident has brought grief not only to the affected families but to every Pakistani. He assured that the Sindh government stands firmly with the victims in this difficult hour.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, the Senior Minister-who also holds the portfolios of Information, Transport and Mass Transit-said the provincial government has been working since day one on a single-point agenda: the recovery of all bodies from the debris. He said DNA testing is underway, information regarding 86 missing persons has been received, and search operations are continuing round the clock to trace the remaining individuals.
Sharjeel Memon announced that the families of those who lost their lives will be provided financial assistance of Rs10 million each, while compensation will also be paid to 1,200 shopkeepers whose businesses were destroyed in the blaze. He recalled that in previous incidents, including the Timber Market fire and the Bolton Market tragedy on Ashura, damages were assessed through the Chamber of Commerce and traders were compensated. “This time too, compensation will be paid honestly through a systematic and transparent mechanism,” he said.
He emphasized that no amount of money can compensate for the loss of human life, adding that the government’s priority is to prevent such tragedies in the future. He paid tribute to a firefighter who lost his life during rescue operations, stating that the government shares the grief of the martyred firefighter’s family as its own.
The minister disclosed that an audit report was presented on January 1, 2024, and notices were issued to shops at that time, during the caretaker government period. He said a high-level committee has been constituted to conduct a transparent inquiry into the incident, including the causes of the fire, possible negligence during rescue operations, and other contributing factors. “We are all awaiting the committee’s report,” he said.
Sharjeel Memon noted that a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce met the Chief Minister of Sindh and supported strict enforcement of fire safety measures in buildings. However, he pointed out that nearly 90 percent of buildings across Pakistan lack proper fire safety systems, and authorities often face resistance when attempting to enforce standard operating procedures.
Responding to political criticism, the minister said calls by certain parties to hand Karachi over to the federal government would not prevent such incidents. He accused political opponents of exploiting tragedies for point-scoring, stating that while families are still waiting for the bodies of their loved ones, “politics is being played over dead bodies.”
He further said that accountability is the government’s responsibility and reiterated that the priority remains recovery of victims, completion of an independent forensic inquiry, and bringing those responsible to justice. He added that the investigation is also examining the possibility of sabotage. “If the report names anyone-including myself-no one will be spared,” he asserted.
Concluding, Sharjeel Memon urged political forces to raise constitutional and governance issues on the floor of the assemblies rather than engaging in media rhetoric, stressing that protecting lives and property must remain above all political considerations.
