Emotions flare up in Sindh Assembly as opposition assails govt for ‘failed rescue operation’ at Gul Plaza

KARACHI:

Opposition lawmakers assailed the provincial government in the Sindh Assembly on Monday over what they said was a “failed rescue operation” to save lives and control the blaze at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping centre.

Lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) expressed immense concern and walked out of the house while chanting slogans against the government while members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) remained present.

Sindh Minister for Labour Saeed Ghani assured the MPAs that the Sindh government would not abandon the affected traders and take all possible measures to restore businesses, compensate the families of the deceased and prevent similar incidents in future.

The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony, began with a delay of one hour and 18 minutes. At the outset, the house observed a somber atmosphere as members from both treasury and opposition benches expressed grief over the tragedy and offered prayers for the deceased.

As proceedings began, Ghani sought permission to make a statement on the incident. MQM-P members susbequently stood up, demanding that they should be allowed to speak first.

The deputy speaker ruled that other members would be given the floor after the minister would complete his statement. This triggered loud sloganeering by MQM-P members, who chanted slogans for accountability before staging a walkout. They did not return for the remaining session.

In his speech, Ghani described the Gul Plaza incident “extremely tragic and heartbreaking”, stating that the government was not absolving itself of the responsibility and acknowledging that lapses may have occurred. He stressed that this was not the time for political point-scoring but for standing with the affected people.

He said the Sindh government had constituted committees to conduct transparent investigations into the incident and to oversee the rehabilitation of affected traders.

Recalling the 2012 Baldia factory fire in which 290 people lost their lives, Ghani said the Gul Plaza incident was the “most serious” fire-related tragedy since then. He said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had clearly stated that the government would not declare itself blameless and ordered an inquiry to determine lapses on part of government institutions, traders and market associations.

He also shared the details of the rescue operation, adding that although the chief minister and Karachi mayor were not in the city at the time, they remained in constant contact, while elected representatives and advisers visited the site.

Ghani informed the House that a committee comprising representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders’ bodies, including the Gul Plaza Association, had been formed to assess losses and recommend financial assistance. Another committee, headed by the Karachi commissioner and additional inspector general of police, would conduct a transparent inquiry into the causes of the fire, with the option to seek forensic assistance from Lahore.

During the debate, JI MPA Muhammad Farooq criticised government oversight and alleged illegal constructions, while PTI MPA Rehan Rajput demanded accountability from the Sindh Building Control Authority and called for a timeline for compensation payments.

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah urged members to avoid politicising the tragedy and assured full government support to the affected traders. He said the government was prepared to order a judicial inquiry if required.

Later, the Sindh Assembly session was adjourned till 2pm on Tuesday, while the question hour could not be held due to the tense atmosphere.