Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, while addressing a press conference at the Governor’s House along with representatives of the business community today, emphasized that the Gul Plaza incident is a major tragedy and should not be used for political point-scoring.
He stressed that the priority must be to provide immediate relief and support to the affected traders. Mr Tessori stated that instead of engaging in politics, all efforts should focus on healing the wounds of the business community. He announced that he would write to the Karachi Mayor to seek permission for affected traders to conduct temporary business activities at a parking plaza, Saddar Karachi.
He appealed to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to work jointly with the Sindh Building Control Authority to take effective action against illegal constructions. He also said that discussions should be held with the President of the Gul Plaza management to understand how the affairs were being managed.
Tessori said he would request the Prime Minister of Pakistan to visit Karachi and help secure federal-level funds for the affected traders. He welcomed the Sindh government’s announcement of compensation amounting to Rs 10 million for victims and stressed the need for concrete measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
He paid special tribute to the Pakistan Navy, stating that naval personnel reached the site within 20 minutes and played a vital role in the rescue operation. He remarked that despite Karachi contributing nearly 70 percent of national revenue, the city repeatedly has to seek assistance, which is a matter of serious concern.
The governor further said there was no lack of commitment, as officers and personnel of all institutions worked wholeheartedly during the rescue efforts. He also appreciated Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Dr Farooq Sattar for raising the issue effectively for four hours in the assembly.
Former President of KCCI Javed Balwani thanked the Sindh Governor, stating that he always stepped forward in times of crisis and was among the first to reach the site of the Gul Plaza incident. MNA Arshad Vohra said that although this was not a constitutional responsibility of the governor, he still stood with the affected people and addressed their grievances.
Maulana Bashir Farooqi proposed that debris worth millions of rupees should be shifted to a vacant government plot and sold, with the proceeds distributed among the affected traders.
The press conference was attended by former KCCI President Javed Balwani, Anjum Nisar, Rafiq Pardesi, Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi, MNA Arshad Vohra, MPA Abdul Moiz, Taha, Aamir Siddiqui, Maulana Bashir Farooqi, Zafar Abbas, and others.