Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited the site and expressed regret over his delayed arrival, explaining that he had reached the city at around 5pm. He said the government would make every effort to provide maximum relief to those affected by the incident.
Shah said firefighters from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Rescue 1122 were experienced and fully engaged in the operation. “If further assistance is required, we will not hesitate to seek it. There is no shame in asking for help,” he added.
He said around 26 fire tenders, four snorkels and 10 water bowsers took part in the firefighting operation. In addition to KMC resources, the Pakistan Navy provided a snorkel, while three firefighting vehicles were dispatched by the Civil Aviation Authority.
“With deep regret, I must say that according to the information available so far, six people have lost their lives, including a KMC firefighter,” the chief minister said. He added that 22 people were injured and received medical treatment at hospitals before being discharged.
However, Shah said it was extremely concerning that between 58 and 60 people were still missing. “May Allah grant them life,” he said.
He said the structure comprised a basement, ground floor and three upper floors, housing more than 1,000 shops. The exact cause of the fire, he added, could not yet be determined.
He directed Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi for an immediate inquiry into the matter and to prepare a report on the cause of the fire.
“The fire safety arrangements in the building should be inspected,” CM Murad was quoted as saying in a statement.
He ordered strict implementation of fire safety rules and action against those whose negligence or carelessness would be proven.
“A fire safety audit should immediately be conducted of Karachi’s commercial buildings,” CM Murad said.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had directed CM Murad and Wahab to deploy all resources to control the fire.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives and property, he demanded an immediate probe into the blaze and ordered that steps be taken to prevent such future tragedies.
Later, a report on the fire incident at Gul Plaza was presented to Murad Ali Shah by the Commissioner Karachi and Deputy Commissioner South.
According to the report, the fire incident at Gul Plaza occurred between 9:45 pm and 10:15 pm. According to the briefing, more than 1,200 shops were gutted in the Gul Plaza fire. After firefighting operations 60 to 70 percent of the fire was brought under control.
President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz expressed their deep grief over the fire at Gul Plaza and the resulting loss of lives.
In a statement reported by APP, the premier instructed that all possible assistance should be provided to the affected traders and other individuals, and that all necessary facilities should be provided to the injured.
He stressed that all relevant departments should work together in the rescue operation.
In his statement, President Zardari directed that the Sindh government – which is of his PPP – and the relevant authorities “provide immediate and every possible assistance to the affected people and the traders”.