In one of Pakistan’s worst fire disasters in years, the death count from the Gul Plaza inferno in Karachi has climbed to 67, while 77 individuals remain missing. The catastrophic event on January 17 continues to haunt the city, fueling outrage over building safety and rescue inefficiencies.
Governor Kamran Tessori of Sindh province broke his silence Friday, urging the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court to launch an immediate judicial inquiry. ‘We cannot absolve the administration of responsibility,’ he asserted during a press briefing, criticizing post-fire response measures and demanding identification and punishment of culprits.
Preliminary findings point to a tragic accident in an artificial flower shop. Children allegedly playing with matches or lighters set flammable inventory ablaze, with fire rapidly propagating through electrical lines. Officials ruled out initial suspicions of wiring faults as the primary cause.
Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso updated the figures, noting ongoing search and recovery at the site. Entering day seven, operations persist amid emotional scenes—wives and mothers of the missing staged protests Thursday, decrying delays in locating their loved ones.
Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling economic hub, hasn’t witnessed such a lethal blaze in more than 10 years. The incident underscores chronic issues like inadequate fire exits, poor maintenance, and lax enforcement of safety codes. As the nation mourns, Tessori’s push for accountability signals a potential turning point in urban safety reforms.