‘#Murad Ali Shah istefa do’: netizens outraged after Gul Plaza fire, call for resignation

Demand for Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s resignation has been trending on social media after the massive Gul Plaza fire in Karachi.

A massive fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road has left the country in shock.

Authorities said the blaze started on January 17 around 10:00 PM and was brought under control after 34 hours. The death toll has risen to at least 21 till now.

The building remains fragile and unsafe. Major concerns about further collapse are still there, reports suggest.

In a statement, Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr Abid Jalal said that while “more than 20 bodies have been recovered, the final number of dead cannot be stated at the moment”.

“Some bodies have been recovered in the form of body parts from various locations,” he added.

“Until it is determined through a technical and forensic verification whether these parts are of the same person or different people, confirming the correct number [of deaths] is difficult,” he further added, Dawn reports.

Netizens demand action

Netizens expressed anger online. One user said, “The Gul Plaza tragedy is not an accident but clear proof of the Sindh government’s criminal incompetence.”

The social media user further added, “Karachi is already gripped by broken roads, open manholes, water shortages, electricity issues, and street crime. Every day, some family or another falls victim to governmental negligence, yet the Sindh government is only focused on looting and plundering.“

سانحہ گل پلازہ کوئی حادثہ نہیں بلکہ سندھ حکومت کی مجرمانہ نااہلی کا واضح ثبوت ہے۔
کراچی پہلے ہی ٹوٹے روڈز، کھلے مین ہولز، پانی، بجلی اور اسٹریٹ کرائم کی لپیٹ میں ہے۔
ہر دن کوئی نہ کوئی خاندان حکومتی غفلت کی بھینٹ چڑھ رہا ہے، مگر سندھ حکومت صرف لوٹ مار میں#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/6TILGtYHdD

— Umair Ahmed Siddiqui (@Umairlook) January 19, 2026

Another netizen said, “The cries of the injured echoed in the air. The bereaved had fear and questions in their eyes. But there was no one to give answers.”

#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو
زخمیوں کی کراہیں فضا میں گونجتی رہیں۔ ورثا کی آنکھوں میں خوف اور سوال تھے۔ مگر جواب دینے والا کوئی نہ تھا۔
کراچی کے گل پلازہ میں جلتے ہوئے لوگ مدد کے لئے پکار رہے تھے
اور
کراچی کے میئر اسلام آباد کے کیفے میں کافی نوش فرما رہے تھے۔ pic.twitter.com/65uy6M1QvV

— Maria Erum (@MariaErum7) January 19, 2026

Gul Plaza tragedy has exposed criminal negligence and total incompetence of the Sindh govt.

Incompetent CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah must take responsibility and resign. Karachi’s lives cannot be sacrificed anymore.#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/SSMY69Jtq5

— Jamat-e-Islami Digital (@JamatDigital) January 19, 2026

PPP destroyed Karachi

سانحہ گل پلازہ کوئی حادثہ نہیں بلکہ سندھ حکومت کی مجرمانہ نااہلی کا واضح ثبوت ہے۔#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/PRVxRUJ3Js

— رافعہ یحییٰ (@rafiayahya30) January 19, 2026

ساڑھے تین کروڑ ابادی کے شہر میں 32 گھنٹے بعد اگ پر قابو پایا گیا
یہ سندھ حکومت اور بلدیاتی اداروں کی کارکردگی پر سوالیہ نشان ہے؟#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو#GulPlaza pic.twitter.com/MDuxGwi8Dz

— Huda eman🇵🇰 (@huda_eman) January 19, 2026

Karachi Is Burning, Sinking, and Dying — and the Sindh Government Is Still in
DenialDenial #مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/dPIzzLPzhh

— Amira Nasir (@amiranasir2005) January 19, 2026

سنا ہے جب روم جل رہا تو تو نیرو بیٹھا بانسری بجا رہا تھا
اور جب کراچی جل رہا تھا تو۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔
ہمارا میئر اسلام آباد میں سکون سے کافی پی رہا تھا 😡#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/wMpFf5hLhj

— Mir Babar (@MirBabarMushtaq) January 19, 2026

PPP destroyed Karachi

⁧#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/XB4mZ52Yiz

— Shahnaz Jamil (@ShahnazJamil1) January 19, 2026

ہزاروں نہیں لاکھوں گھرانوں کی بددعائیں ان وڈیروں کو لگیں گی۔
انا للّٰہ وانا الیہ راجعون#مراد_علی_شاہ_استعفی_دو pic.twitter.com/GEO8trL1Eo

— Aamir Khalil 🇵🇰🇹🇷🇵🇸 (@_AamirJIP) January 19, 2026

CM Murad announces Rs10m compensation for Gul Plaza victims’ families

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday announced Rs10 million compensation for each family of those who died in the Gul Plaza fire.

He also pledged that the damaged building would be rebuilt after proper assessments.

Speaking at a press conference with senior officials, the chief minister called the blaze a “major incident.”

He also said the damage was extensive and the entire building might need to be demolished.

Read more: Final voice note message of Gul Plaza fire victim emerges