Karachi’s renowned Gul Plaza fire has inflicted financial losses of nearly Rs3 billion on traders.
All Saddar Alliance of Market & Mall Association Karachi has announced a day of mourning to be observed tomorrow on this sorrowful incident. As part of the ‘Dua’, Quran recitation will be held for the traders who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza fire.
The incident has resulted in significant loss of life and property, plunging the business community into mourning.
Trader leader Atiq Mir stated that the blaze caused an estimated loss of nearly Rs3 billion to traders. He said that each shop housed goods worth between Rs2.5m and Rs3m.
Highlighting the severity of the impact, Mir noted that the fire occurred during the peak wedding season, with Eid also approaching, compounding the financial distress of affected traders.
He urged the government to announce a relief package similar to the one previously introduced for Bolton Market traders, calling it essential for the survival of those affected.
Atiq Mir further announced that, in addition to the day of mourning, a day of condemnation will also be observed across the city tomorrow to protest the incident and demand government support. Authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the fire, while traders and victims’ families await compensation and assistance.
It is worth mentioning that six people, including a firefighter, have lost their lives in the incident, while more than 30 others have been injured.
The ground and mezzanine floors of Gul Plaza have been completely gutted by the fire, and several parts of the damaged building have collapsed, raising fears that the death toll may rise further.
The blaze reduced the livelihoods of hundreds of shopkeepers to ashes, as goods worth millions of rupees were destroyed. Rescue operations continued amid difficult conditions due to the intensity of the fire and structural damage to the building.
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