Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has strongly criticized the Sindh government over the Gul Plaza Tragedy, calling it a clear failure of governance. He said the incident has exposed serious weaknesses in the provincial administration, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made these remarks while addressing a press conference on Monday. The event was held at Jamaat-e-Islami’s Karachi headquarters, Idara Noor-e-Haq. He demanded that the Sindh chief minister step down and take responsibility for the tragedy.
He said Karachi residents are paying the price for official neglect. According to him, the Gul Plaza Tragedy highlights long-standing issues in the city’s emergency response system. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will organize a “Let Karachi Live March” to demand basic rights and safety for citizens.
The JI emir compared Karachi’s situation with international standards. He said one fire station is required for every 100,000 people worldwide. However, Karachi, a city of millions, has only 28 fire stations. He called this situation alarming and unacceptable.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman raised several questions about the handling of the incident. He asked why fire brigade vehicles arrived late at the scene. He also questioned why snorkel machines failed to function properly. He noted that water shortages made firefighting even more difficult.
He further asked why firefighters lacked proper protective equipment. He said many vehicles had no diesel or essential chemicals. These shortages, he claimed, turned a manageable fire into a deadly disaster. The Gul Plaza Tragedy, he added, was worsened by poor planning and lack of resources.
Talking about the fire department’s condition, he shared official figures. He said the department has 1,600 sanctioned staff positions. Out of these, around 400 employees have already retired. This has created a serious manpower shortage.
He also pointed out the lack of training. According to him, the last proper firefighter training session was held 11 years ago. Many firefighters do not have complete safety kits. Some do not even have basic masks.
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He questioned how firefighters are expected to rescue people under such conditions. Entering burning buildings without proper gear, he said, puts their lives at risk. He concluded by urging immediate reforms to prevent another Gul Plaza Tragedy in Karachi.
