The catastrophic Gul Plaza incident has cast a harsh spotlight on the critical state of Karachi’s emergency services, with a prominent business leader revealing the city operates with a mere 930 firefighters for a population of approximately 40 million, a situation he described as deeply concerning.
Malik Khuda Bakhsh, President of the Pakistan Business Group (Sindh Region), on Friday declared the event a national tragedy and urged the government to ensure the rescue operation is completed without delay. He also called for immediate relief to be provided to the shopkeepers who have lost their livelihoods.
In a statement, Mr Bakhsh demanded a “neutral, transparent, and honest inquiry” into the disaster, insisting it must be “conducted with fear of God and complete integrity” to bring the facts before the public. He reiterated his call for strict action against any individuals found responsible for the tragedy.
Describing the incident as one of the worst in the city’s history, the business leader highlighted the profound distress caused by the ongoing recovery efforts. He noted it was “extremely unfortunate that even after several days have passed, all the bodies have not yet been recovered”.
Mr Bakhsh asserted that while the disaster has devastated dozens of families, it has also exposed the hollow state of Karachi’s firefighting system. He referenced alarming facts presented by fire officials, which he said raise serious questions for the administration.
The statement detailed the severe disparity between the city’s needs and its available resources. According to international standards, a metropolis of Karachi’s size requires 200 to 250 fire stations, yet only 12 central stations are operational, with the total reaching just 28 when including temporary setups. The city needs an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 firefighters, a stark contrast to the 930 currently available.
Concluding his remarks, Bakhsh prayed for the forgiveness of the martyrs of the Gul Plaza tragedy, affirming that he and his organisation share equally in the grief of all the bereaved families.