Karachi, Pakistan – In a devastating turn of events, a massive fire engulfed the five-story building of a popular shopping center, Gl Plaza, in Karachi’s busy MA Jinnah Road, leaving scores of people dead or injured. The fire, which broke out in the wee hours of the morning, spread rapidly, destroying the structure and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Afaq Ahmed, visited the site of the tragedy and met with the affected traders and residents, expressing his condolences and promising to take action against the Sindh government. “We will stage a protest against the Sindh government for their failure to prevent this tragedy,” Ahmed said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Barrister Gohar, also weighed in on the situation, saying that opposition leader Senator has been informed that a notice will be issued either today or tomorrow. “The opposition will hold the government accountable for this tragedy,” Gohar said.
Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and MQM Pakistan leader, Ali Khursheed, called for a judicial inquiry into the incident. “If the investigation reveals evidence of sabotage, we will take action against those responsible,” Khursheed said.
Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, announced that aid will be provided to the families of the victims from tomorrow. “We will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased,” Shah said.
The Sindh government has also set up a help desk to assist those affected by the tragedy. The department has reported that 70 people were initially reported missing, and three more people have been added to the list today.
Rescue officials have warned that more bodies may be recovered from the rubble in the coming days. “We are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under the debris,” said Rescue 1122 spokesperson.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials suspect that it may have started due to an electrical fault. An investigation into the incident is underway, and those responsible will be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast a dry and cool weather for the next three days in Karachi. The city’s coastal areas have also reported sightings of humpback dolphins.
In a separate incident, a 24-year-old motorcyclist was shot dead in the Bagh-e-Bahar area of Karachi. The victim, identified as Bilal Shah, was riding his motorbike when he was targeted by unknown assailants.
The Sindh government has announced that aid will be provided to the families of the victims of the Gl Plaza tragedy from tomorrow. If the investigation into the incident reveals evidence of sabotage, those responsible will be taken to task.
