Business leaders visit under the leadership of Ishtiaq Baig, call for transparent inquiry and formation of a commission for financial assistance.
Supreme Court should take immediate suo motu notice while the government should form a committee and focus on rehabilitation of victims – Muhammad Ali Haider.
Karachi: Senior Vice Chairman LPG Marketeers Association / General Secretary Pakistan Muslim League (N) Business Forum, General Secretary,Rotary Club of Karachi Nexus and FPCCI EC member Muhammad Ali Haider, along with Chaudhry Ansar Javed, former Chairman Flour Mills Association of Pakistan, and Fawad Sheikh, President Rotary Club of Karachi Nexus, visited under the leadership of Ishtiaq Baig, President Pakistan Muslim League (N) Business Forum, to express solidarity with the business community. The forum demanded that the government should construct a building for the affected traders of Gul Plaza and compensate them for their losses.
They further stated that a commission should be formed to investigate the Gul Plaza fire incident so that it can assess the extent of damages. They demanded that just like the victims of Bolton Market were given a grant of Rs. 3 billion for compensation, a similar grant should be announced for the rehabilitation of Gul Plaza victims, and compensation should be provided based on the commission’s report. They also urged Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to conduct fire safety audits of all buildings.
On this occasion, Ishtiaq Baig expressed deep sorrow over the fire incident at Gul Plaza Shopping Center, which resulted in the martyrdom of nearly two dozen people. He said that the Labour Department, Fire Safety authorities, and Civil Defence had failed to perform their duties. He demanded a transparent inquiry and strict punishment for any institutions or individuals found guilty of negligence or incompetence. He recalled that similar incidents had occurred at Bolton Market and Cooperative Market, after which former President Asif Ali Zardari formed a committee under the leadership of late Siraj Qasim Teli to provide financial assistance to affected traders. He appealed to both the federal and Sindh governments to take emergency measures for the rehabilitation of affected businesses.
He added that the business community would fully support their affected counterparts, but urged government ministers to take practical steps instead of making statements. He also pointed out that initial indications suggest negligence on part of the fire brigade, and it is shocking that while tanker mafia is illegally selling water across the city, the fire brigade complains of water shortage whenever a fire breaks out.
Muhammad Ali Haider further stated that the Supreme Court should take immediate suo motu notice, and the government should form a committee including representatives from Pakistan Muslim League (N) Business Forum, FPCCI, KCCI, Gul Plaza Association, and other trade bodies to focus on the immediate rehabilitation of victims and provide full financial assistance. He said that more than 21 people were killed in the Gul Plaza tragedy and around 73 are still missing. He emphasized that fire alarms are the most crucial safety measure to save lives, but despite repeated promises from the government after such incidents, no concrete action is taken regarding fire safety in commercial buildings.
He reiterated that similar tragedies occurred at Bolton Market and Cooperative Market, after which former President Asif Ali Zardari formed a committee under late Siraj Qasim Teli to assist victims. He once again appealed to federal and provincial governments to take urgent steps for business rehabilitation, stating that while the business community stands in solidarity, real action is needed from the authorities.
