Governor Tessori urges immediate relief and compensation for victims, says politics can wait
The devastating fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza has turned into a national tragedy, said Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori during his visit to the site, more than 27 hours after the blaze first erupted and remained partially uncontrolled.
Addressing the media, the governor emphasized that saving lives and compensating affected families must take precedence over political debate. He revealed that reports of over 70 missing persons were deeply alarming, adding that the pain of families still awaiting news of their loved ones was beyond words.
Governor Tessori stated that immediately after the incident, coordination was established with the Pakistan Navy, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), DIG South, fire brigade, and other relevant agencies to accelerate rescue and firefighting operations. He stressed that while determining the cause of the fire was important, the immediate priority remained human lives.
The governor disclosed that a pregnant woman was still feared trapped inside the building, and authorities remained in constant contact with her husband. He described the suffering of the affected families as unimaginable.
To facilitate rehabilitation, three major builders of Karachi have been summoned to assess, alongside the market association, how soon Gul Plaza can be made operational again. Tessori asserted that although he may not possess executive authority in all matters, he carries moral responsibility and will stand with the public until losses are addressed.
He announced the provision of 2,500 water bottles for those affected and pledged to personally arrange meals for victims starting the following day. A helpline (1366) has been activated for sales staff, ensuring ration supplies reach their homes, while shop owners have been asked to register for structured compensation talks with builders.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar also visited the site and called for compensation for Gul Plaza victims on the same scale as previously provided to Bolton Market traders. He praised the governor’s timely response, stating it helped prevent further destruction, and assured MQM’s continued support for the affected community.
