President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have contacted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah by telephone, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the fire at Gul Plaza, while also directing that all available resources be utilized to ensure the success of rescue and firefighting operations.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives caused by the fire, stating that the federal government stands with the affected people during this difficult time. He assured the chief minister that all possible assistance would be provided by the federal government to support effective relief efforts.
The prime minister said that in this hour of sorrow and hardship, the federal government stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims and the Sindh government, adding that a coordinated and effective system is essential to control fires promptly in densely populated urban areas. He further stated that the federal government is fully prepared to assist the provincial government in establishing a comprehensive system to prevent such incidents in the future.
Earlier, the prime minister had taken immediate notice of the fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi and directed federal institutions to extend full cooperation to the Sindh government to strengthen rescue and firefighting operations.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari also held a telephonic conversation with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and inquired about the latest situation of the fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi, which had not been fully brought under control even after 24 hours. The president emphasized that all available resources must be utilized without delay to ensure the success of rescue and firefighting efforts.
President Zardari praised the bravery and courage of firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who was martyred during the massive blaze, and directed the Sindh government to nominate him for a civil award. He also instructed the chief minister to take immediate steps to ensure proper medical care for the injured and the rehabilitation of the homes of affected families.
The president further stressed the need for strict enforcement of fire safety laws and the modernization of safety inspection systems in commercial and residential buildings to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had told the media that the prime minister was aware of the situation, though he had not personally contacted him at that time. He had also stated that a complete inquiry into the incident would be conducted and that losses suffered by traders would be compensated.
It is noteworthy that the fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza had not been fully controlled even after 24 hours, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuries to more than 30 others, while 58 individuals have so far been reported missing.
