Many prominent citizens of Karachi have expressed concern over the Gul Plaza fire tragedy and questioned the performance of the Sindh government.
Many of them took to social media to share their fond memories of the shopping centre and lambasted the lack of fire safety regulations at commercial centres.
They maintained that Gul Plaza was an integral part of their memories, and the incident has raised serious questions about the performance of the provincial government.
Hamza Tabani, Chairman of the renowned business group Tabani Group in Karachi, expressed his grief on the social media platform ‘X’, writing: “Along with the precious lives lost, many people’s livelihoods and businesses have also suffered immense damage.”
He prayed for the victims of the devastating blaze.
Faizan Lakhani, a journalist in Karachi, expressed his sorrow, saying: “Watching what happened at Gul Plaza broke my heart. This is no ordinary market; every person living in Karachi knows the significance of Gul Plaza.”
He further added: “This is one of the city’s major wholesale and retail centres where millions and billions worth of trade takes place in home décor, toys, travel goods, crockery, household appliances, and electronics. Today, the shopkeepers stand outside watching their life’s work burn away.”
Faizan Lakhani also lamented: “Karachi generates the most revenue for the country, yet when this city calls for help, no one listens. We always react after the tragedy. We never prepare in advance. If effective measures had been taken years ago, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. But nothing has changed, and today’s incident is yet another painful reminder of that truth.”
Journalist Fahmeeda Yousufi commented on X: “While attempting to reach the upper floor of Gul Plaza, a ladder suddenly fell, causing two rescue workers to fall and sustain serious injuries. We salute these brave rescue workers who are setting an example of courage, dedication, and selfless service by risking their lives in the line of duty.”
Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas said, “We only react after an incident. We never take proactive steps. If the Sindh government had taken effective measures after the horrific fire in a departmental store near Jail Road a few years ago, which claimed several precious lives, perhaps the tragedy at Gul Plaza could have been avoided.” Mazhar Abbas was referring to the devastating fire at the ‘Chase Up’ departmental store near Jail Road.
He added, “Nothing significant is going to happen in this case either. I’ve been saying for years that due to incompetence and corruption, Karachi has become unmanageable and uncontrollable.”
Senior journalist Ismat Malik pointed out: “The deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza comes at a time when just a few days ago, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presented the performance of the Sindh government in the President’s House. This tragedy painfully highlights the gap between government claims and the harsh reality of safety, regulation, and civic governance in Karachi.”
Karachi-based journalist Hassan Abbas said: “The Gul Plaza fire underscores years of negligence by the Sindh government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Fire Brigade Department. Fire risk allowances were not provided, dues were not paid, upgrades didn’t happen, no new hires were made, and no new fire stations have been set up for years. This negligence poses a serious threat to human lives.”
Dr Abid Jalaluddin, CEO of Rescue 1122, stated that the intensity of the fire was so severe that almost everything was reduced to ashes, which made the rescue operation extremely difficult.
In the initial stages, it was challenging to enter the building and carry out rescue work, while a shortage of water also became a major challenge.
Some social media users pointed out safety negligence.
Anchor Aashar Alam wrote: “By coincidence, I was recording a video in front of Ruby Plaza, which is located right across from Gul Plaza. The shopkeepers there raised objections as they overheard me talking about the lack of fire exits, the dilapidated state of the building, and the unsafe electrical wiring system.”
Author and journalist Mehwish Ijaz also commented: “Gul Plaza has been an important part of Karachi’s identity for decades, and what has happened to it is truly a tragedy. This kind of incident could happen anywhere because our buildings and shopping centres lack proper safety measures.”
She also pointed out another building in the city, writing: “Take a good look at the Rabi Centre on Tariq Road, it too seems to be waiting for a major accident.”
