Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui on Friday announced 1,200 free stalls for traders affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy. The move aims to provide immediate relief to shopkeepers who lost their businesses in the deadly fire.
The mayor said the stalls will be set up at the Polo Ground in Karachi’s Red Zone. This arrangement will help traders resume work during the upcoming month of Ramadan. Ramadan is considered a peak business season for many small traders.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab stated that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has been directed to prepare a full rehabilitation plan. He said support is necessary as the reconstruction of Gul Plaza has not started yet. The temporary stalls will allow affected traders to earn a livelihood until permanent arrangements are made.
The mayor instructed KMC officials to maintain close coordination with Gul Plaza traders and the building management. He stressed that the process must remain smooth and transparent. He also confirmed that no charges will be taken from traders using the 1,200 free stalls.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Sindh government, and the KMC stand with the victims. He added that the party shares the grief of families affected by the tragedy. He assured continued support during this difficult time.
The Gul Plaza tragedy occurred on Saturday night, January 17. A massive fire broke out at the commercial building on M.A. Jinnah Road. At least 79 people lost their lives, while dozens are still missing. The fire continued for more than 32 hours before being controlled.
An official inquiry revealed serious safety failures. Investigators found that the fire started in Shop No. 193 on the ground floor. A matchstick ignited artificial flowers, causing flames to spread rapidly. The building contained highly flammable materials.
The report highlighted delayed emergency response and lack of equipment. Gul Plaza had no fire alarms or sprinkler systems. Electricity was not cut off on time. Emergency exits were blocked or insufficient.
Authorities said these failures directly increased the scale of the disaster. The provision of 1,200 free stalls is seen as an important step toward supporting affected traders while long-term rehabilitation plans are finalized.
In other news read more about:Sightsavers Set up Free Eye Testing Camp to Ensure Quality Education
