By our correspondent
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has condemned the handling of the recent Gul Plaza fire, calling it a glaring example of the Sindh government’s “gross incompetence” and the failure of the city’s mayor to ensure public safety.
Zafar, accompanied by District Secretary and UC Chairman Noman Hameed, visited the homes of missing traders and workers affected by the tragedy. Speaking on Wednesday, he expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis, noting that several hours after the incident, many bodies have yet to be recovered—a situation he described as a direct consequence of administrative negligence.
“Gul Plaza is one of the worst tragedies in Karachi’s history,” Zafar said. “The loss of lives could have been prevented if proper emergency arrangements had been in place.”
He criticized the construction and operation of high-rise commercial buildings across Karachi, alleging that many lack legally mandated fire safety measures such as emergency exits, sprinklers, and alarm systems. According to Zafar, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) is complicit through alleged bribery and deliberate negligence, endangering countless lives.
“The absence of a timely rescue operation and the inadequacy of fire-fighting equipment left people trapped in smoke and flames,” he added, highlighting the shortcomings of municipal authorities.
Current reports indicate that 63 bodies have been recovered, while 84 people remain missing, underscoring the scale and severity of the disaster.
Monem Zafar demanded immediate financial compensation for the families of the deceased and called for full relief for all affected individuals. He further stressed the need for comprehensive investigations to hold negligent authorities accountable and prevent similar disasters in the future. The JI chief’s visit and statements come amid growing public outrage over safety violations in Karachi’s commercial buildings and the slow response to emergencies, intensifying calls for reforms in building regulations and emergency preparedness.
