Rescue operations continue on the fifth day following the devastating fire at Karachi’s iconic Gul Plaza shopping center. After clearing the first floor, teams have now moved to search the second and third floors, racing against time to locate survivors and recover bodies.
The death toll has risen to 28, while 85 people remain missing, leaving families and the city in deep mourning. Out of the confirmed fatalities, seven bodies have been identified, 21 remain in Edhi morgue, and seven have been handed over to grieving families. Identification efforts continue, with two bodies confirmed through national ID cards and driving licenses, while a 33-year-old woman, Misbah, was identified with the help of a locket.
Relatives have provided 51 DNA samples, sent to the Sindh Forensic DNA Lab and the University of Karachi, as authorities painstakingly work to identify the human remains. The rescue efforts have been further complicated by injuries to two firefighters, one of whom is in critical condition. Adding to the city’s anxiety, officials have raised concerns that the adjacent Rampa Plaza building is at risk of collapse, while rescue operations have been slowed due to a lack of resources.
Amid the immediate crisis, serious negligence by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has come to light. Records reveal that the original approval plan of Gul Plaza is missing, and an illegal revised plan was issued without proper authorization. The building’s completion certificate was issued in 2005 without legal approval or mandatory NOCs from relevant authorities. Former SBCA officers reportedly overlooked unauthorized construction of extra shops along the building’s pathways, and the basement parking was illegally shifted to the roof — making Gul Plaza the only project in Karachi with rooftop parking.
Under directives from the Sindh Chief Minister, an investigative committee has begun collecting evidence and recording statements. Meetings chaired by the Karachi Commissioner, including the Additional IG and Chief Fire Officer, will culminate in a report to be submitted to the Sindh CM. Meanwhile, the basement fire flared up again, with firefighters risking their lives in the unstable sections of the building to control the flames.
In response to the tragedy, SBCA has issued a three-day ultimatum for all city buildings to install fire safety systems, instructing the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to implement audit findings immediately. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has urged all building owners to prioritize fire safety, warning that such incidents must not recur.
As the smoke clears, the ashes of Gul Plaza stand as a stark reminder of lost lives, shattered families, and systemic negligence. This is not Karachi’s first fire tragedy — RIMPA Plaza, Millennium Mall, Arshi Mall, Cooperative Market, and Builder Town have all suffered similar fates. The haunting question remains: will Gul Plaza also be buried in history, or will accountability and safety finally prevail?
