KARACHI: Gul Plaza Shopping Mall fire has killed 28 (including a firefighter identified as Furqan Ali) and injured twenty here on Saturday (17th Jan, 2026).
CM Sindh has announced a compensation of Rs. 1 Crore each for the families of those who were killed in the Gul Plaza inferno. He said that the annihilated Shopping Plaza would be rebuilt by the government.
Though an incendie had completely destroyed a section of Gul Plaza back in 2008 too, corrupt officials, serving super-amoral politicians, did not attempt to get any safety measures implemented. As a result the 17th Jan fire annihilated the mall harboring twelve hundred shops, despite endeavours of twenty fire engines for three days.
Since sections of the death-trap collapsed, rescuers (who arrived after fire had engulfed all the floors) found it impossible to reach parts of annihilated structure. Bodies and many of the 20 injured were taken to the Civil Hospital. It is feared that seventy people (including a pregnant woman) are still trapped (expired or wounded) in the labyrinth of multi-storied congested Gul Plaza. The Sindh government has established a helpline to report anyone missing due to the incendie or to direct their queries at 0313-5048048, 021-99206372 and 021-99205625.
President Arts Council of Pakistan Mohammad Ahmed Shah, while commenting on the tragic incendie at Gul Plaza, noted: “This tragic incident is not just a moment of grief, but a wake-up call to urgently ensure that our public spaces are safe for the people of this city”.
Charles Goodman, heading the US diplomatic mission here, extended condolence on behalf of the Consulate General to people of the Metropolis and families of those who lost their lives in the tragic fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall on Saturday (17th Jan, 2026):
“We recognize the courage and dedication of the first responders who worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, and we hope for the swift recovery of those injured or still missing. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected during this difficult time. The United States stands in solidarity with our Pakistani friends and colleagues as the community mourns, recovers, and works together to prevent such tragedies in the future,” Consul General Charles Goodman stated.
Office bearers converged at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Speaking on the occasion, participants announced full solidarity with the affected traders. They formed Gul Plaza Fire Incident Committee in order to meticulously assess loss of lives and property and demand compensation. Small Traders Association leaders demanded five billion rupees from the government.
North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) has expressed grief over the loss of lives and assets caused by the Gul Plaza blaze. NKATI office-bearers have urged the Sindh CM to make sure that strict action was taken against those responsible. President NKATI emphasized that fire safety laws should be enforced at the government level in all commercial centres.
It is pertinent to mention here that gutted batiment Gul Plaza happened to harbour sixteen gates (thirteen on the ground floor and three in the basement). But only two were open on the ground floor and one in the basement. Moreover, while shopkeepers were charged Rs. 5,500/month, no money was spent on the building.
Newspakistan.tv
M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career forty-five years ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.
