Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday announced a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for those affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy, pledging to provide alternative shops to traders within two months, along with financial assistance and interest-free loans.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, the chief minister said the provincial government stood with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. He announced Rs10 million compensation for each deceased victim’s family.

CM Shah said all Gul Plaza shopkeepers would be given Rs500,000 to help manage household expenses during the interim period. He added that consultations with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry had already begun and assured traders that all losses would be compensated.

He further announced that the government would rebuild the same number of shops that existed in Gul Plaza and hand them over to affected traders within two months. In addition, each shopkeeper would be provided an interest-free loan of Rs10 million.

“This is not a time for politics,” the chief minister said, stressing that the focus should remain on relief, accountability and rebuilding.

On emergency response arrangements, CM Shah said rescue services were currently spread across different institutions.

He said legislation was underway to streamline the system and did not rule out the creation of a new, fully equipped rescue authority if required.

He said investigations into the Gul Plaza incident were ongoing and urged anyone with evidence to submit it to the inquiry committee.

“Whoever is found responsible will be punished. Even if I am found at fault, I should be punished,” he said.

The chief minister made the remarks after inaugurating the Korangi Causeway Bridge.

Commenting on political discourse, he said every issue was being linked to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, adding sarcastically that it should not come to a point where even Karachi’s cold weather is blamed on it.

He said the Sindh government was working to improve Karachi’s infrastructure and expressed hope that the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Expressway would be opened to the public by Eid.