A heated debate erupted in the National Assembly in Islamabad over the Gul Plaza tragedy, as Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came face to face, exchanging sharp remarks on responsibility and governance.
During the discussion, MQM Pakistan called for the creation of new administrative units and the strengthening of local government institutions. MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that the fire at Gul Plaza is no longer confined to a single building, but has ignited pain in the hearts of Karachi’s residents. He added that establishing new administrative units does not mean dividing the country, and urged that the issue should not be turned into political point-scoring.
Responding to MQM’s stance, PPP MNA Shahla Raza said she was not politicizing the tragedy, but pointed out that it is well known which party was in power in 2002 and 2003, and during whose tenure permission was granted to expand shops. She said it is not necessary for a chief minister or ministers to reach the site immediately during an incident, but rather the timely arrival of rescue agencies is crucial.
PPP leader Abdul Qadir Patel also spoke strongly in the assembly, saying that instead of claiming ownership of Karachi, responsibility should be acknowledged. He stated that the fault lies with those who constructed such buildings. Referring to the Baldia factory tragedy, he said that 360 people lost their lives after doors were chained shut, yet that incident is often avoided in discussions.
The debate continued with strong exchanges from both sides, while lawmakers described the Gul Plaza incident as a major tragedy for Karachi and stressed the need for effective measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
