Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | 29 Rajab 1447
Monday, Jan 19, 2026 | 29 Rajab 1447
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed that immediate fire safety audits be conducted across all commercial buildings in Karachi following a fire at Gul Plaza.
A massive third-degree fire has gutted Gul Plaza on Karachi’s busy MA Jinnah Road, claiming at least six lives — including a heroic firefighter — as rescue teams continue to battle the blaze under perilous conditions.
Taking strict notice of the incident, the chief minister ordered the Karachi commissioner to initiate an immediate inquiry to ascertain the cause of the blaze and submit a detailed report, the CM House said in a statement.
READ MORE: Six dead, including firefighter, as massive blaze engulfs Gul Plaza in Karachi
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, CM Murad instructed that the best possible medical facilities be provided to the injured. He emphasised that fire safety arrangements within the building must be thoroughly assessed and ordered the strict implementation of fire safety laws across the city.
Furthermore, the chief minister warned that stern action will be taken against those responsible if any negligence or carelessness is proven.
Meanwhile, the Karachi commissioner and deputy commissioner South presented a preliminary report to Sindh CM regarding the Gul Plaza fire.
As per the report, the fire incident occurred between 9:45 PM and 10:15 PM on Saturday. More than 1,200 shops were burnt as a result of the Gul Plaza fire, according to the briefing.
“Following the fire brigade’s action, 60 to 70 percent of the fire has been brought under control. Six people lost their lives while 22 others were injured in the accident. All injured were moved to the Burns Ward of Civil Hospital Karachi. The relief operation involved 22 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers, and 4 snorkel vehicles. In the Rescue 1122 operation, 33 ambulances also participated,” the report said.
The chief minister paid tribute to the sacrifice of the firefighter who was martyred while extinguishing the fire. “Firefighters saved the lives of citizens by putting their own lives at risk,” he stated. He directed that the best medical facilities be provided to the injured.
READ MORE: Fire incidents reported in Karachi’s Nazimabad, Landhi areas
CM Murad instructed the administration to continue the rescue and cooling process until complete termination of fire. He ordered the district administration, police, and rescue agencies to continue the rescue operation. “The administration and police should keep working until the fire is completely extinguished and the situation returns to normal,” he said.
The chief minister has ordered an investigation to determine the causes of the incident. Safety measures should be made more effective to avoid such incidents in the future, he maintained.
“All institutions must always remain alert and ready for the protection of the lives and property of the public. The Sindh government has never left the business community alone before and will not leave them now,” the chief minister said.
According to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, 40 snorkels and other modern machinery took part in the rescue and firefighting operation, as a result of which the fire has largely been brought under control, while the cooling process is still ongoing.
Memon said that modern equipment is being used in the rescue and firefighting operations, including high-reach snorkels, foam and cooling systems, while all relevant agencies are continuously monitoring the situation.
“A comprehensive inquiry into the incident is underway to determine how the fire broke out and what caused it,” he said, adding that a fact-finding report will also be prepared, on the basis of which future steps will be decided.
“Gul Plaza is an old building, and the final cause of the fire will only be determined after the investigation is completed. The government is avoiding speculation and is examining the matter from all angles,” he said.
The minister further said that after a complete assessment of the damage, the government will decide on the future course of action. Whether it is the business community or other affected individuals, the government will provide maximum possible support within the framework of law and regulations, he added.
On the other hand, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Monem Zafar, while visiting the site of the fire at Gul Plaza along with JI’s MPA Muhammad Farooq and others, said that the tragedy was clearly a result of the government failure, administrative incompetence, mismanagement, and the worst form of governance.
It is pertinent to mention here the JI Karachi chief had also visited the location earlier at night with Alkhidmat rescue personnel and reviewed the ongoing relief operations.
Later, while talking to the media at Gul Plaza, he said that Karachi is a metropolitan and mega city that drives Pakistan’s economy, yet the tragedy is that even after several hours the fire has not been brought under control.
“The question is whose negligence and whose incompetence is responsible for the fact that despite 15 to 16 hours having passed, the fire has still not been extinguished?”
He termed it extremely unfortunate that dead bodies are still being recovered, more than 20 people have been injured, and dozens remain trapped inside the building. “Their relatives are standing outside, helplessly searching for their loved ones, while traders are watching their entire businesses burn to ashes before their eyes,” he said.
Zafar said if a major city lacks essential chemicals, carbon dioxide, and modern firefighting facilities to extinguish fires, it is proof that institutions have been deliberately destroyed. “Corruption has hollowed out every institution, and today innocent citizens are paying the price for it,” he said.
The JI leader demanded that rescue and relief operations be immediately accelerated, those trapped be safely evacuated, the injured be provided with the best possible medical facilities, and responsibility for this tragedy be fixed with strict action taken against those found responsible.
He added that the Gul Plaza incident is extremely tragic. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the families of those who lost their lives, and we pray to Allah Almighty to grant the deceased a place in His mercy and give patience and strength to their families.”
