KARACHI: A massive fire that engulfed Gul Plaza on Saturday night wreaked havoc on shops and livelihoods, with traders and residents blaming delayed government response and limited firefighting resources for the scale of the disaster. Officials reportedly struggled to bring the blaze under control until early Sunday, allowing flames to spread unchecked for hours.
Read More: Karachi Gul Plaza fire 77 percent contained, rescue ongoing
Shopkeepers said timely intervention from the nearby Saddar Fire Station and other civic bodies could have reduced losses. Many noted that despite the station’s proximity, a shortage of water and inadequate resources hampered initial efforts. Local residents also questioned the absence of Karachi’s mayor and provincial ministers during the crisis.
The fire started on Saturday night at 10:15 PM in an artificial flower shop on the ground floor of Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road, and by Sunday afternoon at least six people were confirmed dead, including a firefighter named Furqan, while somewhere between 80 and 100 people were… pic.twitter.com/pHjebZnAlN
— brief. (@brief_pk) January 18, 2026
“The fire could have been contained sooner,” said one trader. “Had a proper rescue operation been in place immediately, people might have been saved, and businesses might have survived.” Another shopkeeper lamented that thousands of households’ livelihoods were at stake, emphasizing that the damage went far beyond the loss of merchandise.
By Sunday morning, Gul Plaza’s upper floors had partially collapsed, leaving hundreds of shops destroyed and an atmosphere of fear and mourning in the Saddar area. Traders and families of victims stood among the debris, confronting the sudden loss of livelihoods built over decades. Majid, a children’s clothing shop owner, said merchandise for the upcoming Eid season had “turned to ashes.”
Observers highlighted that Gul Plaza’s ageing structure and hazardous design contributed to the scale of the disaster. Narrow corridors, cramped stockrooms, combustible materials and substandard wiring created conditions that allowed the fire to spread rapidly. Many residents warned that similar incidents could recur unless preventive measures and stricter safety regulations are implemented.
Read More: Six dead, over 55 missing in Karachi Gul Plaza fire
For the people of Karachi, the devastation at Gul Plaza is a stark reminder of the human and economic toll of delayed response and inadequate preparedness, as well as the urgent need to modernize safety standards in older commercial centers.