Emotions flare in Sindh Assembly as opposition attacks government for ‘failed rescue’ at Gul Plaza

KARACHI:

Opposition lawmakers on Monday attacked the provincial government in the Sindh Assembly over what they said was a “failed rescue operation” to save lives and control the fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza mall.

Legislators from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) expressed immense concern and walked out of the house shouting slogans against the government, while members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) remained present.

Sindh Labor Minister Saeed Ghani assured the MPAs that the Sindh government would not abandon the affected traders and take all possible measures to restore business, compensate the families of the deceased and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony, began with a delay of one hour and 18 minutes. Initially, the House observed a somber atmosphere as members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches expressed grief over the tragedy and prayed for the deceased.

As the case began, Ghani sought permission to make a statement about the incident. The MQM-P members subsequently stood up and demanded to be allowed to speak first.

The Deputy Speaker decided that other members would have the floor after the Minister had finished his statement. This triggered loud sloganeering by MQM-P members who shouted slogans for accountability before staging a walkout. They did not return for the remaining session.

In his speech, Ghani described the Gul Plaza incident as “extremely tragic and heartbreaking”, saying the government did not absolve itself of responsibility and acknowledged that lapses may have occurred. He stressed that this was not the time for political point-scoring, but to stand with the affected people.

He said that the Sindh government had constituted committees to conduct transparent investigations into the incident and to oversee the rehabilitation of affected traders.

Recalling the 2012 Baldia factory fire in which 290 people lost their lives, Ghani said the Gul Plaza incident was the “most serious” fire-related tragedy since then. He said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had clearly stated that the government would not declare itself blameless and ordered an inquiry to ascertain lapses on the part of state institutions, traders and market associations.

He also shared the details of the rescue operation and added that though the Chief Minister and Karachi Mayor were not in the city at the time, they remained in constant touch while elected representatives and advisers visited the site.

Ghani informed the House that a committee comprising representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders’ bodies, including the Gul Plaza Association, had been formed to assess losses and recommend financial assistance. Another committee, headed by the Karachi Commissioner and Additional Superintendent of Police, would conduct a transparent inquiry into the causes of the fire with the option of seeking forensic assistance from Lahore.

During the debate, JI MPA Muhammad Farooq criticized government oversight and alleged illegal constructions, while PTI MPA Rehan Rajput demanded accountability from the Sindh Building Control Authority and called for a timeline for compensation payments.

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah urged the members to avoid politicizing the tragedy and assured full government support to the affected traders. He said the government was prepared to order a judicial inquiry if required.

Later, the Sindh Assembly session was adjourned till Tuesday at 14.00, while question time could not be held due to the tense atmosphere.