• 21 people confirmed dead; several remains pulled from debris; some found in pieces
• Police list 69 missing; whereabouts of 35 traced via technology
• No arson evidence so far; short-circuit suspected
• Sindh CM announces Rs10m per deceased, orders inquiry
• NA told over 8,000 jobless after 1,200 shops destroyed

KARACHI: The death toll from the Gul Plaza fire rose to 21 on Monday as rescuers recovered more bodies from the debris of the multi-storey shopping complex, while the Sindh government announced Rs10 million in compensation for each deceased person’s family and senators criticised repeated failures in enforcing building regulations.

The blaze erupted late on Saturday night in the busy market and gutted the basement and ground-plus-three-storey structure, which housed nearly 1,200 shops spread over roughly 8,000 square yards.

Although firefighters brought the flames under control, smoke continued to billow from the wreckage as teams worked through the charred remains.

South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn on Monday evening that around 23 body parts had been recovered from the debris so far.

He said that police had compiled a list of 69 missing persons and that the whereabouts of 35 had been traced with the help of geo-fencing.

One more body was identified on Monday as Tanveer Ahmed Khan, 46, a salesman whose name had been included in the missing list. A resident of Korangi No. 4, he was identified through his CNIC, the DIG said, adding that DNA samples were also being collected to confirm identities.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told Dawn they had conducted post-mortem examinations of 10 bodies so far and that only one had been identified. “All bodies were unidentifiable fragmenting pieces,” she said, adding that samples had been taken from 48 family members for DNA profiling and cross-matching.

At the site, Mohammed Shah, who was supervising the Pakistan Navy’s fire brigade team, said the fire was under control but smoke was still emanating even after 48 hours because it was a “deep-seated” blaze. In technical terms, he said, it was known as a “DK” fire, indicating it would continue until the structure was reduced to ashes.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaan ul Haseeb Khan said flames were largely brought under control by Sunday night, which paved the way for the cooling process.

Additional Inspector General of Police in Karachi Azad Khan visited the site and told journalists that initial investigations had not found evidence of arson. He said an FIR would be lodged against responsible persons or officials if the administration’s report established negligence.

Meanwhile, affected shopkeepers staged a protest at the site on Monday evening, carrying banners and demanding compensation for traders and the heirs of victims.

Sindh CM announces relief

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a relief, inquiry and fire-safety reform package, saying the government would support both bereaved families and affected shopkeepers.

Addressing a press conference at the CM House alongside business and trade leaders, including Muhammad Jawed Bilwani and others, and senior officials, including provincial ministers Nasir Shah and Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi and DC South Javed Khoso, the chief minister said the fire broke out at around 10:15pm on Saturday.

He said the cause had not yet been determined, though preliminary assessments suggested a possible short circuit.

CM Shah said 24 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowsers and four snorkel vehicles were deployed, with around 100 firefighters from the KMC and another 100 from Rescue 1122 participating. He said about 10 per cent of the fire was still smouldering and access inside the building remained difficult due to structural constraints.

He announced that the family of each deceased victim would receive Rs10 million in compensation. He also promised assistance for the shopkeepers, saying a special committee had been constituted to help those affected.

Announcing a formal investigation, Murad Ali Shah said a committee headed by the Karachi commissioner had been formed to probe the causes of the fire, with the Additional IG Karachi assisting the inquiry. He added that assistance from the Forensic Laboratory Lahore had also been sought.

The chief minister announced the immediate implementation of the Fire Safety Audit 2024, which had reviewed 145 buildings. He said both the government and traders would have to fulfil their respective responsibilities to prevent future tragedies.

Debate in Senate, NA

The tragedy also came under discussion in the Senate, where members offered condolences and criticised the provincial administration, while others urged restraint.

PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said recurring disasters were rooted in systemic corruption within departments responsible for regulating buildings, not only in Karachi but across Pakistan.

He said building by-laws existed to address fires, earthquakes and other emergencies but were routinely bypassed, alleging that a building mafia, in collusion with officials, violated approvals and ignored safety requirements.

PPP parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman said there was no need to politicise the incident, calling it a lesson for all. She said no compensation could make up for lives lost but noted that the chief minister had announced Rs10m for affected families.

She acknowledged that the fire brigade took time to reach the site due to the crowd, stressing that fire safety was essential for Karachi.

“Shutting down private enterprise is harmful since this is such a big plaza. But fire safety is necessary for a city like Karachi and one should ask the administration of Gul Plaza about how it happened since they run the market,” she said.

“It was a big and tragic incident but there is no need for pointing fingers or engaging in politics,” she said. “Our doors are open for both relief and criticism.”

MQM Senator Khalida Ateeb blamed the Sindh government for negligence, saying there were no safety or emergency measures at Gul Plaza and questioning how 1,200 shops could operate in a space “that allows only 500”.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly was informed on Monday that more than 8,000 people had been rendered jobless after around 1,200 shops were destroyed in the devastating fire.

Raising the issue on a calling attention notice, MNA Arshad Abdullah Vohra of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said traders of the market had been paying billions of rupees in taxes to the federal government for over 30 years but were now facing financial ruin and urgently needed state support.

“They have lost everything,” he said, urging both the federal and Sindh governments to provide comprehensive relief to the affected families.

Iftikhar A. Khan and Syed Irfan Raza in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026