The Saylani Welfare International Trust has announced immediate food ration assistance for all 900 shopkeepers and their employees affected by the devastating fire at the Gul Plaza in Karachi, along with a commitment to bear the complete educational expenses of their children.
Following the tragic fire that broke out at the well-known shopping centre located on MA Jinnah Road, Saylani Trust Founder and Chairman Maulana Muhammad Bashir Farooq Qadri convened an emergency meeting of the trust, during which several important decisions were taken.
The meeting expressed grief over the incident and prayed for mercy on those who lost their lives and for the speedy recovery of the injured. Addressing the meeting, Qadri announced that in this time of sorrow and loss, the Saylani Trust stood firmly with the affected shopkeepers, employees and their families.
He stated that Islam taught us to support those in distress; therefore, the Saylani Trust had decided to take full responsibility for the educational expenses of the children of all the employees working in approximately 900 shops affected by the fire. In addition, immediate ration assistance would be provided to the affected employees.
Qadri emphasised that government authorities must adopt modern firefighting technologies to prevent such large-scale losses in the future. He noted that across the world, advanced fire suppression systems were effectively used to control fire incidents, and Pakistan must also move toward implementing such systems.
He recalled that nearly 17 years ago, the Saylani Trust had provided comprehensive assistance to the victims of a major fire incident on MA Jinnah Road. Similarly, two years ago, it extended support to shopkeepers affected by the fire at the Arshi Shopping Centre.
He reaffirmed that the trust would once again engage with relevant institutions, pursue the matter at all levels, and even approach the prime minister to ensure maximum relief for the victims of this tragic incident.
