In the aftermath of the tragic fire that ravaged Karachi’s Plaza, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced plans to rebuild the devastated area with a commitment to completing the task within two years. Speaking at a session of the Sindh Assembly, Shah expressed his condolences to the families of the 82 victims and said that the provincial government will ensure that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.
The fire broke out on January 1, 2024, at around 10:14 pm, and by 10:26 pm, the first call was made to the fire brigade, followed by the dispatch of the first team at 10:27 pm. The Deputy Commissioner reached the site at around 10 pm, and the police arrived shortly after. Shah stated that an inquiry into the incident has already been ordered, and the Interior Minister has been directed to submit a report.
The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of the Plaza’s reconstruction, stating that the provincial government will provide assistance to the business owners who lost their properties. He announced that each business owner will receive a compensation of 5 million rupees, and the government will also provide them with a collateral guarantee and a loan of up to 1 crore rupees.
Shah emphasized the need for constructive criticism and called upon the opposition to refrain from politicizing the tragedy. He said that the government is committed to learning from its mistakes and improving its policies to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Chief Minister’s remarks were met with applause from the assembly members, but the opposition party members were seen protesting and raising slogans. The Sindh government has also announced plans to conduct a survey of buildings in three districts of Karachi to ensure that they are safe and compliant with building codes.
The government has also launched an operation to clear the debris from the Plaza site and is working to identify the victims and return their bodies to their families. The Chief Minister has assured the families of the victims that the government will do everything in its power to support them during this difficult time.
In related news, the Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a rescue operation at sea, saving the lives of several people. In Lahore, a man was arrested for cheating traders out of 20 kilograms of gold, and the Prime Minister’s advisor on political affairs has said that Pakistan should stand with Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Sindh Building Control Authority has begun conducting a survey of buildings in three districts of Karachi following the devastating fire at the Plaza. The government has also announced plans to rebuild the Plaza and has promised to provide assistance to the business owners who lost their properties.
The Chief Minister has called upon the opposition to refrain from politicizing the tragedy and to focus on providing constructive criticism to help the government improve its policies. He has also assured the families of the victims that the government will do everything in its power to support them during this difficult time.
The government’s efforts to rebuild the Plaza and support the affected families are ongoing, and the Chief Minister has pledged to ensure that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.
