Karachi, 26-Jan-2026 (PPI): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday announced a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction package for the victims of the recent Gul Plaza tragedy, which claimed over 80 lives. The plan includes multi-million rupee compensation, interest-free loans for shopkeepers, and a province-wide crackdown on buildings violating fire safety regulations.
The chief minister detailed the government’s response to the tragedy, which occurred more than a week ago, during a media address. He reiterated the previously announced compensation of Rs 10 million for the family of each deceased person, while acknowledging that no amount of money could truly compensate for the loss of life.
For the approximately 1,300 affected shopkeepers, the government will provide Rs 500,000 each as immediate subsistence support for household expenses. In collaboration with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the administration will also assess and compensate traders for goods and inventory destroyed in the fire.
Furthermore, Mr Shah announced that each affected business owner would be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to Rs 10 million through the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund. The government will act as the guarantor and cover all interest costs to help the traders rebuild their businesses.
Displaced shopkeepers will be provided with alternative commercial spaces within two months in government-owned buildings and privately offered properties to help them resume their operations.
The Sindh government has also committed to reconstructing Gul Plaza with a revised, safer design, including wider corridors for emergency evacuation. The chief minister assured that the number of shops would remain unchanged and that the rebuilding process would be conducted in consultation with the affected traders.
An official inquiry into the incident is underway, with an FIR already registered. “Whoever is found responsible through the inquiry will be punished,” Mr Shah stated, while also acknowledging that “certain lapses on the government’s part had also come to light.”
In response, the chief minister announced a stringent fire safety audit of all buildings, starting with high-occupancy commercial centres ahead of Ramadan. Owners will be given one week to install basic safety equipment, including fire alarms and clear emergency exits, with a grace period for compliance before non-compliant buildings are sealed. A six-month deadline has been set for all commercial structures to fully adhere to fire and disaster safety regulations.
The chief minister made these announcements while speaking to the media at the inauguration ceremony of the new Korangi Causeway bridge. He described the Rs 6.135 billion project as a long-standing commitment to the residents and industrial stakeholders of the area.
The 1.4-kilometre, six-lane bridge is designed to prevent the Korangi area from being cut off during heavy rains and is expected to serve nearly five million commuters daily, benefiting industrial zones, hospitals, and educational institutions.
The causeway is part of a broader initiative to improve the city’s infrastructure, which includes the Shaheed Bhutto Expressway. This expressway, described as an "economic lifeline," will link Korangi, DHA, and the Kathore (M-9) Highway through a controlled-access corridor, aiming to resolve chronic traffic issues.
Mr Shah concluded by urging traders, industry associations, and building owners to cooperate with the government to ensure such tragedies are never repeated.