Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah has announced Rs10 million compensation for each family that lost a member in Karachi’s Gul Plaza fire, also pledging to rebuild the destroyed building.
Addressing a press conference in the port city on Monday, CM Shah said the fire was a major incident and indicated that authorities might need to demolish the entire building due to the extent of the damage.
“Firefighters and rescue teams are attempting to enter the building from three separate points, but the fire has not yet been fully extinguished,” he said.
The blaze, which began late Saturday, raged for more than 30 hours before authorities brought it under control, with cooling operations continuing at the site.
CM Shah said the distribution of monetary aid to victims’ families will begin tomorrow and the focus now centres on correcting mistakes and preventing future incidents.
An inquiry into the incident will take place under the supervision of the Karachi commissioner, he said.
“In such incidents, every expert must be allowed to do their job without obstruction,” the provincial chief executive said and confirmed that authorities will also take steps to compensate shopkeepers who suffered losses in the fire.
The inquiry committee will determine the causes of the fire and highlight any lapses.
Earlier, the CM chaired a meeting attended by provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and other officials to receive a briefing on the incident.
“I want to take all necessary steps for the rehabilitation of all victims of Gul Plaza,” he said during the meeting.
Instructed officials to start clearing the debris immediately, he highlighted the need for a forensic investigation to determine the fire’s cause. The chief secretary was also directed to formally notify the fact-finding committee.
He confirmed that all traders’ representatives agreed that authorities should restore businesses immediately, and the committee will decide how to implement their suggestions.
The CM also revealed that both President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto have been in constant contact, urging immediate restoration of traders’ businesses and urgent action for the affected traders.
Meanwhile, at least 15 bodies were recovered, five of them beyond identification, from the building. The number of missing persons, on the other hand, has risen to 73.