A devastating fire broke out in a 19-storey hotel in the upscale Gulberg area of Lahore, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving four others injured. The blaze erupted at around 12 pm in the basement of the hotel, where over 200 people, including more than 100 students from a private college, were present for a party. The fire quickly spread to the upper floors, causing chaos and panic among the guests.
Rescue teams, including the Chief Secretary, Zahid Zaman, and other officials, arrived at the scene promptly and launched a rescue operation. After extinguishing the fire, rescue workers searched the hotel and found the bodies of three individuals, identified as Imran, Shaheryar, and Riyaz. Four others were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Deputy Commissioner of Karachi South, Javed Nabi Khoso, announced that the search operation in the hotel has been completed, marking the eighth day of the incident. The tragedy has sparked a series of reactions from politicians and other public figures, with some attributing it to the government’s policies on dacoits in Sindh.
In other news, a fire broke out in a school in Liyari, Karachi, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving four others injured. The Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, praised the security forces for their successful operation in Punjab, while the Governor of Sindh, Kamran Tessori, faced criticism from the spokesperson of the Sindh government, Sadia Javed.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government’s policy on dacoits has been successful, according to PPP leader, Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The Awami National Party (ANP) leader, Ameerul Haq Khan, criticized the Sindh government, saying that everything has become hybrid, including the PPP and its leader, Asif Zardari.
The IG Sindh, Javed Odho, praised the bravery of the SHO, Khemiso Khan Brohi, who foiled a dacoity attempt. In another incident, a firing incident occurred on Chawk Azam Faisalabad Road in Liaquatpur, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving four others injured.
The Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, said that the PTI government left the treasury empty, but the country’s economy has stabilized in two years. The Minister claimed that the economy is moving in the right direction.
In educational news, the Sindh Education Department extended the start time of school hours due to the cold weather. The province is also preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026, which may be held after Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.
In a separate development, former Attorney General, Irfan Qadir, questioned whether the country has forgotten the role of former Chief Justice, Justice Qazi Faiz Isa.
