The devastating fire that ravaged Karachi’s iconic Glorious Plaza has left a trail of unanswered questions and grief in its wake. Mohammad Raheal, the brother of missing Omar Nabeel, shared a heart-wrenching account with Geo News about the fateful day. According to Mohammad Raheal, Omar Nabeel, a chief financial officer of a textile factory, had taken his family to the mall in preparation for the arrival of their new baby. As the fire engulfed the building, Omar Nabeel was on the phone with his friend, sharing his location on the ninth floor. However, the last call was made at 11:07 PM, but it was not received, and the family’s location was later confirmed to be in front of the ninth-floor mezzanine.
Karachi Mayor, Murtaza Wahab, has announced that the government is considering providing alternative locations to the affected traders. In a telephone conversation, Omar Nabeel informed that he was on the first floor, with dense smoke filling the building, and that he and his family were near a crockery shop. The oxygen levels were dwindling, and he was struggling to breathe.
In a shocking revelation, Mohammad Raheal questioned the rescue operations, stating that the fire brigade’s team was untrained and focused solely on extinguishing the fire rather than creating a plan for the evacuation of trapped individuals. He also pointed out that the AC-lined windows were sealed, preventing the smoke from escaping, and that the fire was limited to the ground floor. If the walls and windows had been broken, it might have been possible to rescue those trapped inside.
The Sindh government, led by Minister for Local Government, Nasir Hussain Shah, has taken responsibility for the tragedy and announced that a special committee would be formed to investigate the incident. The family of the deceased firefighter, Farqan, who lost his life in the blaze, has been granted a compensation of PKR 1 crore by the Karachi Mayor.
Mohammad Raheal revealed that Omar Nabeel was 45 years old, his wife, Dr. Ayesha, was 35 years old and 9 months pregnant, and their 14-year-old son, Ali, was also with them. The family was shopping for the new baby at the Glorious Plaza when the fire broke out. The rescue operation is still underway, and machine excavation has been temporarily halted. The bodies of the missing individuals are yet to be found under the debris.
The city of Karachi is bracing itself for a cold wave, with temperatures dropping to 20 km/h. Residents are stuck in traffic, with many families stranded for hours. In a separate incident, the Sindh government has announced that it will provide compensation to families affected by the Glorious Plaza fire.
The Sindh government has also set up a special committee to investigate the World Bank-funded projects in the province. The MQM has written a letter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate the projects.
In related news, the United Arab Emirates has announced a new plan to combat drought through artificial rainfall. The project aims to provide relief to the region, which has been experiencing severe water scarcity.
The bodies of three individuals, identified as Srfaraz, Muhammad Osman, and Muhammad Razvan, have been found in the Garden region. Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta has spoken out about the stigma surrounding the profession, revealing that her mother had threatened to cut her wrist if she pursued a career in acting.
The Sindh government has provided PKR 245 per square foot for maintenance, but the market association is demanding a response for the lack of proper maintenance. The police have revealed that there are five lionesses, three lions, and three lion cubs in the menagerie. The animals have been relocated to a new facility in Nawa Kot.
In other news, the US Ambassador to Pakistan has announced that the country will continue to work with the United Nations and other nations on the Board of Peace.
