KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui has announced the allocation of 1,200 free stalls for traders affected by the Gul Plaza fire, offering temporary relief during the upcoming month of Ramadan. The stalls will be set up at the Polo Ground in the Red Zone, and no charges will be taken from the displaced shopkeepers.
The mayor said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has been instructed to develop a detailed rehabilitation plan, as reconstruction work on Gul Plaza has yet to begin. He emphasized close coordination between KMC officials, Gul Plaza traders, and the building management to ensure smooth implementation of the relief measures.
Reaffirming support from the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Sindh government, and KMC, Mayor Wahab noted that Ramadan is a crucial business period for traders and pledged continued assistance during this challenging time. He also expressed solidarity with the victims and families affected by the tragedy.
The Gul Plaza fire, which erupted on January 17 at M.A. Jinnah Road, claimed at least 79 lives, with dozens still missing. The blaze burned for over 32 hours before being controlled. An official inquiry highlighted severe safety violations, delayed emergency response, lack of firefighting systems, and blocked exits, all of which contributed to the high death toll. Investigators traced the fire’s origin to a shop on the ground floor, where a matchstick ignited highly flammable artificial flowers.
