KARACHI: Pakistani celebrities have expressed grief and solidarity following the deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza, which killed at least 14 people and left dozens missing. The blaze, which erupted on Saturday night, raged for nearly 33 hours before being brought under control, reducing the shopping centre to rubble.
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Renowned actor Nauman Ijaz shared his sorrow on Instagram, describing the incident as a tragedy for the entire nation and praying for patience and compensation for those affected. Actress Sajal Aly called herself “heartbroken” and sent her prayers to the victims and their families.
Cricketer Haris Rauf also took to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), lamenting the “loss of precious lives” and highlighting the failure of the city’s fire safety system. “Inadequate fire safety, delayed rescue, and a system that failed its people,” he said, urging authorities to take responsibility.
The tragedy exposed our collective failure to protect lives. Inadequate fire safety, delayed rescue, and a system that failed its people!
The cost? Precious lives, lost. Families torn apart. Dreams unfulfilled. The helplessness is suffocating. How many more lives will it take for…— Haris Rauf (@HarisRauf14) January 19, 2026
Actor Ali Abbas expressed deep sadness over the incident, stating that it exposed the city’s neglect and underscored the need for citizens to choose their representatives wisely. Zahid Ahmed’s wife, Amna Zahid Ahmed, also commented on the tragedy, lamenting the “unimaginable neglect” Karachi faces.
The incident has caused not only human loss but also financial damage, with initial estimates suggesting losses amounting to billions of rupees. Authorities continue recovery and relief efforts, while the Sindh government has established helplines for reporting missing persons and providing assistance to affected families.
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Celebrities’ reactions reflect a broader public mourning and call for accountability, highlighting concerns over safety regulations and emergency response in Karachi. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to work on clearing debris and conducting rescue operations, as the city grapples with one of its deadliest recent fires.