KARACHI: Traders on Sunday blamed poor emergency response and inadequate rescue arrangements for the devastating fire at Gul Plaza, which gutted almost the entire commercial complex and left several people feared trapped inside. According to traders, the fire broke out around 10:30 pm and rapidly spread through the plaza. In the initial stages, traders themselves attempted to extinguish the flames and evacuate people from the building. They alleged that the fire brigade arrived more than an hour late, lacked sufficient water, and had to leave the site repeatedly to refill its tanks. Traders further complained that rescue personnel were ill-equipped, lacking proper gadgets, extinguishers, boots, masks, and goggles needed to enter the burning building. Due to these shortcomings, they said, trapped people could not be evacuated in time. Families of traders and workers gathered outside the half-razed building throughout the night, anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones. Many said they failed to receive clear or satisfactory information regarding rescue efforts. President of the Gul Plaza Traders Association, Tanveer Qasim, told media representatives that several people from his circle were also missing and could not be contacted. “Financial losses can be compensated, but there is no compensation for human lives,” he said. He described the entire plaza as having been reduced to ashes and criticised what he termed a lack of serious official firefighting efforts. Calling the Sindh government’s response “pathetic,” he appealed for urgent assistance and demanded that Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy rescue teams be deployed to evacuate those still trapped inside. He said a properly trained and fully equipped firefighting force was urgently required, as the fire was still burning and all goods inside the market had been destroyed. Tanveer Qasim also lamented that neither the city mayor nor the chief minister had visited the site to console traders during what he described as an hour of collective grief. Meanwhile, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Monem Zafar termed the Gul Plaza fire a clear outcome of government failure, administrative incompetence, mismanagement, and the worst form of governance in Sindh. He along with JI MPA Muhammad Farooq and other party leaders visited the plaza. He had earlier arrived late at night with Alkhidmat rescue personnel to review relief operations. Talking to the media, he said it was alarming that in a mega city like Karachi, which drives Pakistan’s economy, the fire had not been brought under control even after several hours. He questioned whose negligence was responsible for the fact that despite 15 to 16 hours having passed, the blaze was still not fully extinguished. Describing the situation as extremely unfortunate, he said dead bodies were still being recovered, more than 20 people had been injured, and dozens remained trapped inside the building. He added that relatives of the trapped were standing outside in distress, while traders watched their businesses burn to ashes. Monem Zafar said the absence of essential firefighting chemicals, carbon dioxide, and modern firefighting facilities in the city was proof that institutions had been deliberately weakened. He alleged that corruption had hollowed out state institutions, forcing innocent citizens to pay the price. He demanded immediate acceleration of rescue and relief operations, safe evacuation of those trapped, provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured, and strict action against those responsible for the tragedy. He said Jamaat-e-Islami stood shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families and prayed for mercy for the deceased and patience for their relatives. Separately, Alamgir Welfare Trust International (AWT) expressed deep sorrow over the Gul Plaza tragedy and announced full solidarity with the affected traders and families. According to an AWT spokesperson, special prayers were offered for those who lost their lives and for the speedy recovery of the injured. The organization announced that all injured persons would be provided the best possible medical treatment without any discrimination. AWT also announced that families of shop employees would be provided ration at their doorstep for six months, following proper verification. For coordination, employers, shop owners, or representatives of the Gul Plaza Traders Association have been asked to contact the organisation via WhatsApp at 0333-3113119. In addition, Saylani Foundation President Bashir Farooqi announced that school fees of children from affected families would be borne by the foundation. He also stressed the need to adopt modern firefighting techniques instead of relying solely on conventional water-based methods. The tragedy has once again raised serious questions about emergency preparedness, institutional capacity, and governance in Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026