Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah today announced a comprehensive Rs7 billion financial package for those affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy, with an immediate distribution of Rs511.7 million in compensation cheques to 200 verified victims.
According to an information today from Sindh CM House today, this significant relief effort underscores the administration’s commitment to the complete rehabilitation of the affectees and to implementing preventative measures against future incidents.
Speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House, the provincial head described the Gul Plaza calamity as a painful event that resulted in immense human and financial losses for many families and the business community.
The ceremony saw attendance from provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Jam Ikramullah Dharejo, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Saeed Ghani, Adviser to CM Gyan Chand Essrani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, and representatives from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), including Zubair Motiwala, alongside a substantial number of affected individuals.
Mr Shah affirmed that the Sindh government, inspired by the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, had been dedicated from day one to providing immediate and long-term assistance to the victims.
He detailed that in the initial phase, Rs10 million each was announced for the families of 72 deceased persons. Payments have already been concluded in 64 cases, while four are currently under verification and another four are pending due to legal heir complications.
In the subsequent phase, 849 affected shopkeepers each received Rs500,000 as immediate relief during Ramadan, intended to help them begin rebuilding their livelihoods.
Murad Ali Shah further explained that the provincial administration had also approved the comprehensive Rs7 billion financial aid for the victims, out of which Rs5.657 billion has already been obtained through the Accountant General’s office for disbursement based on KCCI assessments.
Under the current phase, cheques totalling Rs511.7 million were distributed among 200 verified affectees, with financial assistance for the remaining claimants slated for release following KCCI verification.
According to KCCI estimates, Gul Plaza housed 1,209 shops, and financial aid is being processed based on inventory losses sustained.
Expressing solidarity with those impacted, the chief minister acknowledged that no compensation could fully offset the suffered losses, but reiterated the government”s unwavering support. He stated, ‘No financial assistance can compensate for the pain and losses suffered, but we are committed to your rehabilitation and support.’
The Chief Minister affirmed the government”s determination to complete all outstanding payments and continue assisting affected traders. He pledged, ‘Every verified affected person will receive compensation. No one will be left behind.’
Mr Shah lauded the resilience demonstrated by the affected families and the trader community, describing their courage in difficult circumstances as admirable. He also emphasised the government”s efforts to ensure stronger preventive and safety measures to avert the recurrence of such devastating incidents.
He praised the KCCI’s crucial role in assessment and verification, highlighting that collaboration with stakeholders had been instrumental in facilitating the compensation process.
Regarding the Judicial Commission report on the Gul Plaza tragedy, Chief Minister Murad Shah announced the formation of a committee tasked with implementing its recommendations and presenting proposals to the next Sindh cabinet meeting.
He assured that accountability would be ensured in line with the report’s findings, stating, ‘Whoever has been identified as responsible in the report will face action.’ He added that over 90 per cent of the report’s findings mirrored concerns his government had initially raised.
The Chief Minister also revealed that President Asif Ali Zardari had raised the issue with Chinese authorities, resulting in a Chinese company visiting Karachi twice to prepare a comprehensive firefighting plan aimed at enhancing emergency response systems.
Murad Ali Shah acknowledged that in the past, emphasis had often been placed more on development than on service delivery, but asserted that the government was now simultaneously addressing both areas. He noted that this year alone, over Rs300 billion worth of development schemes have been allocated for Karachi, although he conceded the city ideally requires much larger investments.
Mr Shah contended that longstanding civic problems could not be attributed to a single administration, pointing out that many structural issues predated the current government.
The chief minister took the opportunity to brief participants on major infrastructure and rehabilitation initiatives underway across Karachi. He announced that the Azeempura Flyover would be completed within 90 days, while work was progressing on Pehlwan Goth Road, Natha Khan Goth Road, the thoroughfare linking Shahrah-e-Faisal to Gulshan, Nishtar Road, Turi Bangash Road, Sohrab Akhtar Road, Jehangir Road, Mirza Adam Road in Lyari, Qalandria Road, Metroville Road, Mehrunnisa Road near SIUT, Chand Bibi Road, Islahuddin Road, and the roads surrounding Gul Plaza.
The CM stressed that there would be no compromise on quality, addressing concerns raised on social media regarding road works. He clarified that field verification had indicated certain complaints stemmed from resistance to anti-encroachment operations rather than construction deficiencies.
Murad Ali Shah also confirmed that rehabilitation efforts for Karachi’s historic markets, including Empress Market, Lea Market, Machhi Miani Market, Nursery Market, and Soldier Bazaar Market, were in progress, with some projects nearing completion.
He further announced that Shahrah-e-Bhutto would be inaugurated in the first ten days of May by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and that the Murghi Khana Bridge and the road connecting Masjid Ayesha to Shahrah-e-Bhutto would also be completed soon.
The chief minister criticised what he termed misleading reporting about development projects and law and order on Shahrah-e-Bhutto, urging balanced coverage. He urged, ‘Media should point out shortcomings, but it should also highlight the good work being done so public confidence is strengthened.’
Reaffirming the government’s commitment post-Gul Plaza calamity, Murad Ali Shah stated that financial aid, accountability, urban safety reforms, and infrastructure development would advance collectively to restore confidence among citizens and traders.
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Businessmen Group and prominent trade leader Zubair Motiwala extended gratitude to the Sindh government and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for what he described as a serious and sincere effort to support the victims.
He acknowledged the swift and substantial actions taken by the administration in a short timeframe. Motiwala stated, ‘A great deal of work has been done in a very short period. We are deeply grateful to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for standing with the business community.’
Zubair Motiwala confirmed that the compensation process was being conducted based on verified losses, ensuring that every rightful claimant would receive due recompense. He affirmed, ‘Whatever loss has occurred, we will ensure the amount reaches the rightful person.’
He also noted the government”s past collaboration with traders in addressing losses from other market tragedies, including Bolton Market and Timber Market, characterising the current package as a significant relief measure for Gul Plaza victims.
Representatives of the affectees also spoke at the event, thanking the Sindh government for its sustained support.
Affected trader Muhammad Ashraf expressed that the day had transformed hope into reality. ‘This is not just a compensation cheque, it is hope,’ he said, adding that the government had remained supportive throughout a difficult period.
Another affectee, Sultan, shared that while the tragedy had been devastating, the government’s assistance had conveyed to victims that they were not alone.
Affectee Ilyas Shah recounted that victims could never forget the night of January 17 when the disaster struck, but appreciated the Sindh government’s steadfastness in their time of hardship.
The chief minister reiterated that beyond financial compensation, the government remains committed to preventing such tragedies in the future through stronger safety oversight and continuous engagement with stakeholders.
He affirmed, ‘Our farmers, workers, and traders are the backbone of the economy. We will continue to support those affected and work to ensure such incidents do not recur.’
Murad Ali Shah commended the resilience of the victims and the cooperation extended by the Karachi Chamber, stating that collective efforts would help affected traders recover stronger. He concluded, ‘The courage shown by the victims is inspiring. Together, we will overcome this difficult chapter and emerge stronger.’
The chief minister and provincial ministers distributed 129 cheques among the victims and assured them that a new Gul Plaza Building, retaining the same number of shops, would be constructed within two years.