Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday presided over a high-level meeting to review the progress of compensation disbursement to victims’ families and the provision of financial assistance to traders affected by the Gul Plaza fire.
During the meeting held at the CM House, Shah also directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a detailed plan for the shopping centre’s reconstruction. The meeting was informed that the Sindh government has allocated Rs850 million to compensate the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, with Rs10 million earmarked per deceased. Of the 72 reported victims, compensation cheques have been delivered to 61 families at their residences by ministers.
Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi said that the remaining cases are at different stages of processing. CNICs of the widows of three victims are in the final stages with the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra).
Naqvi said that four cases require further verification due to discrepancies in family statements, necessitating inquiries in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir. Additionally, four victims’ bodies remain unclaimed, according to police records.
Regarding financial assistance to traders, the meeting was told that Rs600 million have been allocated to support the affected shopkeepers, with each entitled to Rs500,000 based on verified data provided by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).
A committee constituted on the CM’s orders verified shop ownership and losses, with 843 shopkeepers having received financial assistance through the cheques distributed at the KCCI office.
The meeting was also informed of the complexities arising from the cases where multiple shops are owned or operated by a single individual or business entity. The total number of shops has also shown variation, with earlier reports citing 1,184 shops, while the updated KCCI data indicates 1,209 shops.
Expressing concern over delays in the remaining cases, Shah ordered expediting verification and ensuring that all genuine beneficiaries receive compensation without further delay. “The government stands firmly with the affected families and traders. Every entitled person must receive compensation in a transparent and timely manner.”
He also ordered strengthening coordination with Nadra to fast-track the pending CNIC processing, saying that verification in out-of-province cases must be completed through proper channels on priority.
On the issue of multiple shop ownership, he told the commissioner that financial assistance should be disbursed per shop or per individual/business entity. “There should be no ambiguity in policy implementation.”
Shah also ordered reconciliation of discrepancies in the total number of affected shops, ordering the KCCI and the relevant authorities to submit a final, verified list at the earliest. On the issue of the Gul Plaza’s reconstruction, he directed SBCA Director General Muzammil Halepoto to submit a detailed plan for rebuilding the market. “I want work on the plaza to start at the earliest.”
He also instructed the commissioner to begin demolishing the market, after informing the judicial commission, so that reconstruction work can start. Reaffirming his government’s commitment, he said that all relief measures would be completed with full transparency and accountability to ensure justice for the victims.
