KARACHI: President of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), Faisal Moez Khan, and Chief Executive Officer of the North Karachi Industrial Development and Management Company (NKIDMC), Akhtar Ismail have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives and heavy financial losses caused by the horrific fire that broke out at the shopping center Gul Plaza in Karachi. They demanded that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah take notice of the negligence of the concerned institutions in the Gul Plaza fire incident and initiate strict action against those responsible. Faisal Moez Khan said that the fire at Gul Plaza and the resulting loss of life and property is a great tragedy. Referring to Gul Plaza President Tanveer Pasha, he stated that the shopping center had more than 20 entry and exit gates, yet despite this, the relevant authorities failed to evacuate people from the building. He added that the fire fighters performed their duties with great bravery; however, during these efforts, one fire fighter lost his life. He emphasized that fire safety laws should not only be enforced at the government level in all commercial centers across the city but that strict implementation of these laws must also be ensured. Faisal Moez Khan urged the federal and provincial governments to provide immediate financial assistance to the affected shopkeepers so they can restart their businesses before the holy month of Ramadan. He specifically appealed to Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to come to the aid of the affected traders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026