Gul Plaza fire tragedy: Sindh CM reviews compensation disbursement

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a high-level meeting, reviewed the progress of compensation disbursement to victims’ families and the provision of financial assistance to traders affected by the tragic Gul Plaza fire and also directed the SBCA to submit to him a detailed plan for the reconstruction of Gul Plaza.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers – Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Azad Khan, Secretary Local Govt Waseem Shamshad, DG SBCA Muzamel Halepoto and others.

The Chief Minister was informed that the Government of Sindh had allocated Rs850 million to compensate the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, with Rs10 million earmarked per deceased victim. Out of 72 reported victims, compensation has been disbursed to 61 families through cheques, delivered at their residences by provincial ministers.

Briefing the meeting, the Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi stated that the remaining cases were at different stages of processing. CNICs of widows of three victims are in the final stages with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), while four cases require further verification due to discrepancies in family statements, necessitating inquiries in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir. Additionally, four victims’ bodies remain unclaimed, according to police records.

Regarding financial assistance to traders, the Chief Minister was told that Rs600 million had been allocated to support affected shopkeepers, with each entitled to Rs500,000 based on verified data provided by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

A committee constituted under the directives of the Chief Minister verified shop ownership and losses. So far, 843 shopkeepers have received financial assistance through cheques distributed at the KCCI office, the CM was told.

However, the meeting was informed of complexities arising from cases where multiple shops are owned or operated by a single individual or business entity. The total number of shops has also shown variation, with earlier reports citing 1,184 shops, while updated KCCI data indicates 1,209 shops.

Expressing concern over delays in remaining cases, the Chief Minister directed authorities to expedite verification and ensure that all genuine beneficiaries receive compensation without further delay. “The government stands firmly with the affected families and traders. Every entitled person must receive compensation in a transparent and timely manner,” said Murad Ali Shah.

He further instructed that coordination with NADRA be strengthened to fast-track pending CNIC processing and directed that verification in out-of-province cases be completed through proper channels on priority.

On the issue of multiple shop ownership, the Chief Minister directed the commissioner Karachi that financial assistance should be disbursed per shop or per individual/business entity. “There should be no ambiguity in policy implementation,” he emphasised.

The Chief Minister also ordered reconciliation of discrepancies in the total number of affected shops and directed the KCCI and relevant authorities to submit a final, verified list at the earliest.

On the issue of the reconstruction of Gul Plaza, the Chief Minister directed SBCA Director General Muzammil Halepoto to submit a detailed plan for rebuilding the market. “I want work on the plaza to start at the earliest,” he said. He also instructed the Karachi Commissioner to begin demolishing the market, after informing the Judicial Commission, so that reconstruction work could proceed.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said that all relief measures would be completed with full transparency and accountability to ensure justice for the victims of the tragic incident.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026