KARACHI: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi, Monem Zafar has said that the Gul Plaza tragedy has exposed Bilawal Bhutto’s so-called Sindh vision and reduced it to ashes, declaring that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh has become a serious security risk for Karachi.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, Monem Zafar announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a “Let Karachi Live” march on Shahrah-e-Faisal on February 1 at 3:00 pm to demand Karachi’s legitimate and constitutional rights. He said millions of citizens from across the city would participate.
The JI said the PPP has ruled Sindh for the past 17 years, yet all institutions under the provincial government have become symbols of failure. Referring to the Gul Plaza incident, he said that despite several days having passed, all bodies had still not been recovered. He highlighted that a city with a population of over 35 million has only 60 fire tenders and six snorkels.
He strongly criticised Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, saying he reached the incident site after 23 hours, reflecting complete indifference towards the city. He questioned the role of the Sindh Building Control Authority and stated that 75 percent of buildings in Karachi lack basic fire safety arrangements.
He demanded that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the mayor of Karachi resign if the provincial government cannot function under such circumstances.
Criticising the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Monem Zafar said MQM leader Mustafa Kamal is part of the federal government and questioned from whom he is making demands.
He alleged that MQM is an equal partner in the crimes of the PPP and accused it of playing a direct role in the destruction of Karachi, the ruin of the youth, and a violent past.
Announcing details of the February 1 march, he said, “Karachi is not orphaned. Jamaat-e-Islami will continue to fight the case of this city.” Rejecting the Government of Pakistan’s decision to join the Gaza Peace Board, Monem Zafar said the move was tantamount to endorsing US slavery.
He also rejected traditional committees headed by commissioners, calling them unacceptable under any circumstances. Jamaat-e-Islami demanded immediate compensation for the families of those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy, immediate financial assistance and alternative business locations for affected shopkeepers, and a transparent investigation by a committee headed by a sitting High Court judge, with representation from all city stakeholders, traders, and the business community.
Monem Zafar said that Alkhidmat volunteers have been present at the tragedy site for the past five days and that relief camps have been established. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami, through the Alkhidmat Orphan Program, will take responsibility for the upbringing and education of the children of the deceased.
Highlighting broader civic issues, he said that despite being Pakistan’s economic hub, Karachi is deprived of basic facilities. More than half of the city lacks access to clean drinking water, while the tanker mafia continues to operate unchecked. He said the K-IV water project has not been completed even after 21 years, and extensive digging under the pretext of augmentation has destroyed key areas from NIPA to Hassan Square.
He further said that if a child falls into an open sewer, the government shifts responsibility instead of taking action. Last year, he added, 90 citizens were killed by street criminals, while more than 64,000 street crime incidents were reported.
Monem Zafar termed the BRT Red Line a curse for Karachi and said the city’s infrastructure is in complete disrepair. He cited Jahangir Road, SM Taufiq Road, Seven Thousand Foot Road, MM Alam Road, and Manghopir Road as examples of devastation. He said that even after repeated 60-day promises, followed by another 60 days, the claims of the so-called mayor have repeatedly proven to be false.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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