By our correspondent
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday announced that his government had approved a comprehensive financial package worth Rs7 billion for victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy, describing it as one of the most devastating commercial disasters in recent memory for Karachi’s business community.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the CM House, he said Rs5.6 billion of the approved package had already been secured, while compensation cheques amounting to Rs511 million had been distributed among 200 verified affectees. The event was attended by provincial ministers and representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which played a key role in the verification process.
The tragedy occurred in January this year when a massive fire engulfed the Gul Plaza shopping center, killing more than 70 people and destroying hundreds of shops. The blaze not only claimed lives but also wiped out livelihoods, leaving hundreds of trader families in financial distress.
In the first phase, compensation of Rs10 million each was announced for the families of 72 deceased persons. Murad Shah said payments had been completed in 64 cases, while four cases were under verification and another four were pending due to legal heirship issues.
In a second phase, 849 affected shopkeepers had already received Rs500,000 each as immediate relief during Ramadan to help them restart their businesses. He added that compensation under the broader Rs7 billion package was now being processed based on verified assessments of losses prepared with the assistance of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
