KARACHI: Recovery operations at the site of the Gul Plaza tragedy entered their ninth day on Sunday, with rescue teams retrieving additional human remains overnight as authorities move closer to concluding the search.
The catastrophic fire, the largest in Karachi in over a decade, erupted on January 17 and rapidly engulfed the sprawling Gul Plaza shopping complex, which houses approximately 1,200 family-owned stores selling wedding apparel, toys, crockery, and other goods.
Urban search and rescue teams recovered remains from the building’s third floor, which were immediately transferred to Civil Hospital for DNA profiling.
According to Rescue 1122, the death toll has risen to 71, while 82 individuals are still reported missing by the District South deputy commissioner’s office, with 10–11 yet to be accounted for.
To date, 22 victims have been identified, including 15 through DNA analysis, as authorities continue the painstaking identification process. District South DC Javed Nabi Khoso stated that search operations are expected to conclude today, though debris removal from the site will continue.
He confirmed that the remains recovered overnight have been sent for DNA testing and emphasized that investigations are ongoing, cautioning against premature speculation.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged at Nabi Bux Police Station under negligence and carelessness clauses against unidentified persons.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar noted that concerns of sabotage or terrorism exist but remain unconfirmed; anti-terror provisions will be added if evidence emerges.
MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to establish a federal inquiry commission to investigate the tragedy.
He proposed involving FIA, NAB, NDMA, MI, ISI, Nespak, and the State Bank of Pakistan, along with a federal takeover of the relief and rescue operations. Siddiqui also recommended creating a “relief and rehabilitation fund” to support victims and their families financially.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had earlier clarified in the provincial assembly that while 88 people were initially reported missing, one returned safely and five names were duplicates, revising the missing total to 82.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori stated he would write to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, urging a formal inquiry into the incident and stressing that those responsible must be held accountable promptly.
