KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday ordered the authorities to demolish the fire-hit structure of Gul Plaza to pave the way for its reconstruction.
The CM asked the director general of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a detailed plan for the reconstruction of the building, where a devastating fire killed dozens on Jan 17.
He issued these directives while chairing a meeting to review the progress of compensation disbursement to victims’ families and the provision of financial assistance to traders affected by the tragic fire.
According to a press statement, the CM told SBCA chief Muzammil Halepoto that he wanted work on the plaza to start at the earliest.
CM asks SBCA chief to submit reconstruction plan; reviews compensation disbursement to victims’ heirs, traders
He also instructed the Karachi commissioner to inform the judicial commission investigating the fire incident before beginning the demolition of the market.
Compensation disbursed among 61 families of deceased
Officials said that the provincial government had allocated Rs850 million to compensate the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, with Rs10 million earmarked per deceased victim.
The meeting was informed that out of 72 reported deceased, compensation has been disbursed to 61 families through cheques, delivered at their residences by provincial ministers.
Commissioner Hassan Naqvi stated that the remaining cases were at different stages of processing. The computerised national identity cards 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, he said, four bodies remain unclaimed, according to police records.
Regarding financial assistance to traders, the meeting was informed that Rs600m 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 (KCCI).
A committee constituted under the directives of the CM 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 the delays in remaining cases, the CM 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,” he said.
On the issue of multiple shop ownership, he directed the commissioner 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.
Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2026
