Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has revealed a comprehensive financial package amounting to Rs7 billion to support the victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy. To date, Rs5.6 billion has been secured, and Rs511 million in compensation cheques have been handed out to 200 verified beneficiaries. The devastating fire at the shopping center in January claimed over 70 lives and destroyed hundreds of shops.
Addressing a ceremony at the CM House on Friday, the chief minister described the incident as a deeply painful event that inflicted significant human and economic losses on families and the business community. In the first phase of relief, Rs10 million compensation was announced for each of the 72 families who lost loved ones. Payments have been completed for 64 families, while four cases remain under verification and another four are pending due to legal heir issues.
During the second phase, 849 affected shopkeepers received Rs500,000 each as immediate Ramadan relief to help them restart their businesses. The provincial government has approved the overall Rs7 billion package for the victims, with Rs5.657 billion already allocated through the Accountant General’s office for distribution based on assessments provided by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Currently, cheques worth Rs511.7 million have been distributed among 200 verified claimants, with compensation for the remaining affected parties to be released following further KCCI verification. The KCCI estimates that Gul Plaza housed 1,209 shops, and compensation is being calculated based on inventory losses.
Expressing solidarity, the chief minister acknowledged that no financial aid can fully compensate for the losses endured but affirmed the government’s commitment to support the victims’ rehabilitation. He praised the resilience and courage of the affected families and trader community in the face of adversity.
Murad Ali Shah also emphasized the government’s efforts to strengthen safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He assured that ongoing measures focus not only on rehabilitation but also on enhanced preventive actions.
The chief minister commended KCCI’s role in the assessment and verification process, highlighting the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate compensation distribution. He further addressed the Judicial Commission’s report on the Gul Plaza fire, announcing the formation of a committee tasked with implementing its recommendations. This committee will present proposals to the next Sindh cabinet meeting, with accountability measures to be enforced against those found responsible.
Notably, the chief minister stated that over 90% of the Judicial Commission’s findings aligned with concerns his government had previously raised. President Asif Ali Zardari has also engaged Chinese authorities on the matter, resulting in a Chinese company visiting Karachi twice to develop a comprehensive firefighting plan aimed at improving emergency response systems.
During the event, CM Murad Ali Shah and provincial ministers distributed 129 cheques to victims and assured that a new Gul Plaza building, matching the original number of shops, would be constructed within two years.
The chief minister also provided updates on major infrastructure and rehabilitation projects underway across Karachi. He announced the completion of the Azeempura Flyover within 90 days and progress on multiple roads including Pehlwan Goth Road, Natha Khan Goth Road, and the road linking Shahrah-e-Faisal to Gulshan, among others.
Addressing concerns raised on social media about road construction quality, Murad Ali Shah stressed there would be no compromise on standards. Field verifications revealed that some complaints were related more to resistance against anti-encroachment operations rather than construction defects.
He further announced that Shahrah-e-Bhutto would be inaugurated within the first ten days of May by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The Murghi Khana Bridge and the road connecting Masjid Ayesha to Shahrah-e-Bhutto are also nearing completion.
The ceremony was attended by provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Jam Ikramullah Dharejo, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Saeed Ghani, Adviser to CM Gyan Chand Essrani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, KCCI representatives including Zubair Motiwala, and numerous victims.
