KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Provincial Minister for Commerce Ikramullah Dharejo distributed relief cheques to victims of the Gul Plaza incident during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) on Friday, where they also announced a compensation and rehabilitation package.
The Sindh government will provide financial compensation, temporary business arrangements and interest-free loan facilitation for the affected families, the ministers said, reaffirming the province’s commitment to full rehabilitation.
The ceremony was attended by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Member of the National Assembly Asad Niazi, Zubair Motiwala, and other office-bearers of the chamber.
During the event, the ministers reviewed the process initiated by the Karachi Chamber to compile detailed assessments of losses suffered by traders and affected families. The damage evaluation is expected to be finalised shortly.
Addressing the gathering, Shah described the incident as “deeply tragic and heartbreaking” and thanked the Karachi Chamber for its cooperation in documenting the losses.
He announced that families of those who lost their lives in the incident would receive Rs10 million each in compensation, while Rs500,000 is being provided as immediate financial assistance to meet urgent expenses.
The minister said the Sindh government is arranging temporary accommodation for displaced victims at various locations across the city. He added that affected individuals would be facilitated in obtaining bank loans of up to Rs10 million, with the provincial government bearing both the guarantee and the interest payments.
“We consider ourselves in your place and share in your pain and suffering,” he said, assuring complete rehabilitation and compensation for all those affected.
