Trade representatives demanded a rehabilitation package of Rs 5 billion for the Gul Plaza victims
Firefighters use a snorkel to put out the flames after a fire broke out at the Gul Plaza market in Karachi. Photo: X
In the wake of the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, political parties and business groups have demanded compensation for losses suffered by traders and victims’ families.
Opposition parties criticized the government over the incident and expressed solidarity with the traders who have lost their livelihood, besides expressing condolences to the families of the fire victims.
An emergency meeting of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was convened, chaired by Businessmen Group Vice-Chairman Javed Bilwani and KCCI President Rehan Hanif.
The participants expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and announced full solidarity with the affected traders.
The meeting also announced the formation of a Gul Plaza Fire Incident Committee to coordinate relief efforts, assess losses and formally approach the government for compensation and rehabilitation of the affected businesses.
Meanwhile, representatives of small traders demanded a Rs 5 billion rehabilitation package for Gul Plaza victims, similar to the package announced after the Bolton Market fire.
All Karachi Traders Alliance Chairman Atiq Mir said while reviewing the fire fighting operation from a snorkel that all available resources were deployed to control the fire but still it could not be brought under control in time resulting in loss of precious lives. He urged the government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation package for affected traders.
Karachi Electronics Dealers Association President Rizwan Irfan appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori to provide relief to the traders, compensate losses and express solidarity with the families of the deceased.
Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Munam Zafar Khan visited the site along with party leaders including member of Sindh Assembly Muhammad Farooq. He also conducted a late night inspection with Alkhidmat rescue workers to review relief activities.
Munam Zafar later addressed media persons and said that the absence of essential fire-fighting chemicals, carbon dioxide and modern fire-fighting facilities in a major city was proof that institutions had been deliberately weakened. “Corruption has eroded every institution and innocent citizens are paying the price,” he added.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Sindh Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi expressed deep grief over the loss of life. Kamal said that the federal government was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Sindh government.
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori along with MQM leaders and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies visited the site and directed the authorities to further enhance relief and rescue operations. The MQM demanded financial assistance to the families of the deceased, medical treatment to the injured and relief to the affected business community.
The Central Muslim League Karachi President Ahmed Nadeem Awan said the incident once again exposed the apathy of the city administration. He added that party volunteers remained present at the site throughout the night after the fire.
Pakistan Sunni Tehreek Chairman Engineer Muhammad Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, Central President Sahibzada Allama Bilal Abbas Qadri and General Secretary Sahibzada Allama Bilal Saleem Qadri Shami expressed deep grief over the tragedy. They urged the Sindh Chief Minister, Local Minister and relevant officials to strictly enforce safety regulations from approval to completion of buildings, including fire alarms, emergency exits, fire fighting equipment and comprehensive emergency preparedness.
Pakistan Muslim League functional Sindh General Secretary Sardar Abdul Rahim, PML-Q Sindh Information Secretary Muhammad Sadiq Sheikh, and Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed also expressed grief and urged the government to immediately announce adequate financial assistance to the families of those killed and the families of those killed. destroyed in the fire.
