KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Political tempers flared in both the Sindh Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers demanded accountability over the deadly Gul Plaza fire, with the MQM-P pressing for a judicial inquiry and opposition senators flagging corruption and safety law violations.
At least 26 people have died in the massive blaze that ripped through the multi-storey shopping complex in Karachi’s commercial hub late Saturday night. Parts of the building collapsed as rescue teams battled the inferno for nearly 33 hours, breaking through walls and windows to reach trapped victims.
MQM-P walkout, sharp criticism of Sindh govt
Outside the Sindh Assembly, Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi of MQM-P accused the ruling PPP of negligence and governance failure. He said the government’s polished presentations in Islamabad contrasted sharply with realities on the ground.
“The image of Sindh being projected is imaginary. After 17 years in power, the PPP stands exposed,” he said, referring to public anger and protests outside Gul Plaza.
Inside the house, MQM-P lawmakers staged a protest in front of the Speaker’s dais, raised slogans against the government and later walked out of the session in demand of a judicial inquiry.
Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani hit back, saying MQM-P was politicising a tragedy instead of constructively highlighting administrative lapses. He urged Karachi’s elected representatives to act responsibly rather than disrupt proceedings.
Govt orders inquiry, promises compensation
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had directed the Karachi Commissioner to conduct a formal investigation into the fire. He said the exact cause would be determined only after the probe.
Memon emphasised the need for proper emergency systems in high-rise buildings and pointed to the death of a rescue worker as evidence that state institutions had been actively responding.
He cautioned political actors against blame games and announced that affected traders would be compensated for their losses.
Traders reject victim-blaming
Javed Qureshi, President of Anjuman-e-Tajran Sindh, defended shopkeepers, saying all expansions inside Gul Plaza — including shops in the basement parking area — were carried out legally with proper permissions for the basement and ground-plus-one floors.
Speaking on Geo News, he said traders had suffered both financial and human losses, yet were being unfairly blamed. He argued that the government had failed in rescue operations and must accept responsibility.
Senate debate: corruption and safety failures highlighted
The tragedy dominated proceedings in the Senate as well.
Senator Khalida Ateeb questioned how such large commercial buildings were allowed to operate without basic safety measures, pointing to blocked windows, missing emergency exits and delayed fire brigade response. She noted that many victims were major taxpayers.
Senator Ali Zafar linked the disaster to systemic corruption, saying building laws exist only on paper while enforcement remains absent. He called for strict implementation of bylaws and punishment for violators, describing the situation as “provincial incompetence.”
Senator Sherry Rehman termed the incident deeply tragic and said no compensation could replace lost lives. She confirmed that the Sindh government had announced Rs10 million for each affected family.
While acknowledging delays caused by heavy crowds, she insisted that the provincial government was active in relief efforts and urged the Gul Plaza management to be held accountable instead of politicising the tragedy. She also called on MQM-P to assist victims rather than fuel confrontation.
