KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly session on Monday was rocked by a heated debate and protest over the devastating Gul Plaza fire incident, with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) members boycotting the proceedings.

Tensions flared in the house as MQM-P members started protesting when Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed allowed Labour Minister Saeed Ghani to address the house on the Gul Plaza fire incident, while not allowing Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi to speak.

The MQM-P members chanted anti-government slogans and stormed out of the Sindh Assembly as the labour minister continued his speech amid ruckus, defying their protest.

PTI lawmakers and Jamaat-i-Islami’s lone MPA Muhammad Farooq remained seated, refusing to join the MQM-P boycott.

The labour minister said that the provincial government was open to discussing the Gul Plaza tragedy, assuring that all members wishing to speak would be given the opportunity to do so.

MQM-P stages walkout; labour minister vows to restore traders’ businesses, prevent such incidents in future

He assured the house that the Sindh government would not leave the affected traders alone and would do everything possible to restore their businesses and prevent such incidents in the future.

He said that the government was not absolving itself of responsibility for this incident. “There may be some shortcomings on our part, but this is not the time for politics and commotion, but to stand with the grieving people,” he added.

Mr Ghani said that the provincial government had formed separate committees for a transparent investigation of the tragedy and the rehabilitation of the victims of this tragedy.

Criticising the MQM-P members, he said that instead of talking about the incident, the opposition members created a fuss in the house.

JI’s Farooq termed the incident a result of official negligence and demanded an inquiry under the supervision of a Supreme Court or Sindh High Court judge.

PTI-backed member from Hyderabad Muhammad Rehan Rajput came down heavily on the provincial government for its failure to ensure fire safety in the buildings and shopping centres.

He said that illegal constructions were carried out in Gul Plaza. “What action has the Sindh Building Control Authority taken in this regard?” he asked.

MPA Rajput demanded that the provincial government must allocate funds for fire-brigade for all major cities, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana.

Speaking on the incident, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah said that the provincial government was open to holding a judicial inquiry. “The incident is a major catastrophe,” he added.

Later, the house was adjourned to Tuesday (today).government would not leave the affected traders alone and would do everything possible to restore their businesses and prevent such incidents in the future. He said that the government was not absolving itself of responsibility for this incident. “There may be some shortcomings on our part, but this is not the time for politics and commotion, but to stand with the grieving people,” he added.

Mr Ghani said that the provincial government had formed separate committees for a transparent investigation of the tragedy and the rehabilitation of the victims of this tragedy.

Criticising the MQM-P members, he said that instead of talking about the incident, the opposition members created a fuss in the house.

JI’s Farooq termed the incident a result of official negligence and demanded an inquiry under the supervision of a Supreme Court or Sindh High Court judge.

PTI-backed member from Hyderabad Muhammad Rehan Rajput came down heavily on the provincial government for its failure to ensure fire safety in the buildings and shopping centres.

He said that illegal constructions were carried out in Gul Plaza. “What action has the Sindh Building Control Authority taken in this regard?” he asked.

MPA Rajput demanded that the provincial government must allocate funds for fire-brigade for all major cities, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana.

Speaking on the incident, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah said that the provincial government was open to holding a judicial inquiry. “The incident is a major catastrophe,” he added.

Later, the house was adjourned to Tuesday (today).

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026