The tragic Gul Plaza fire has served as a stark reminder of weaknesses in Karachi’s firefighting and Civil Defence systems. The deadly blaze, which erupted on January 17, took nearly two days to be fully controlled. It claimed at least 73 lives and destroyed over 1,100 shops, leaving the city in shock.
In response, the Sindh government suspended the Director Civil Defence and the Additional Controller Civil Defence, District South. However, the condition of the Civil Defence Department’s own building, just 500 meters from Gul Plaza, tells a troubling story. This stark reminder of neglect highlights how underprepared emergency services can be.
A visit to the Civil Defence office revealed locked rooms, minimal staff, and poor administration. Only eight employees were reportedly working in the entire building. Several offices were empty, with little to no functional equipment. One female officer’s workspace had just a chair and a table placed on stacked bricks, emphasizing the department’s lack of resources.
Staff also failed to provide clear explanations regarding their roles during the Gul Plaza fire. The building itself emitted a foul smell due to accumulated waste and dampness. Electrical wiring remained burnt and unrepaired from a previous short circuit, adding to the unsafe and chaotic environment.
These findings are a stark reminder of Karachi’s vulnerability to fires and other emergencies. The Civil Defence Department, meant to protect citizens, appears largely abandoned and dysfunctional. The building resembles a haunted house rather than a working emergency response office.
The Gul Plaza tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform in emergency services. Authorities must ensure that the Civil Defence Department is fully equipped, staffed, and ready to respond to incidents efficiently.
As the city mourns the victims, the fire also serves as a stark reminder that negligence in emergency preparedness can cost lives. Strengthening operational capacity and accountability within Karachi’s Civil Defence is now more crucial than ever.
This incident should motivate authorities to modernize facilities, improve staff training, and restore public trust in emergency services before another disaster strikes.
In other news read more about: Eyewitness Recounts Harrowing Escape From Gul Plaza Fire
