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Special Police Team Formed to Probe Deadly Gul Plaza Fire as Sindh CM Announces Relief
Karachi police have formed a special team to arrest suspects and investigate the deadly Gul Plaza fire that killed over 70 people, while CM Murad Ali Shah announced compensation and rebuilding plans for victims.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-26
Special Police Team Formed to Probe Deadly Gul Plaza Fire as Sindh CM Announces Relief

The Karachi police on Monday constituted a special investigation team to make “all-out efforts” to arrest those responsible for the deadly Gul Plaza fire and to conduct an impartial probe into the tragic incident that claimed over 70 lives.

According to an order issued by South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, the five-member team has been tasked with arresting the suspects involved and ensuring a thorough investigation. The team includes the Garden Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Kharadar Investigation Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the head of the Garden Central Investigation Cell, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Nabi Bux Police Station — where the case was registered — and the investigation officer handling the FIR.

The notification directed the team to utilise all available resources to apprehend the accused and submit daily progress reports to the DIG’s office. The team has also been authorised to co-opt officers from the South Zone police if required.

The FIR, registered on January 23 against unknown persons, termed the fire an outcome of “negligence and carelessness.” No suspects have been nominated so far.

The massive blaze erupted on the night of January 17 and took nearly two days to be fully extinguished. The inferno left at least 73 people dead and destroyed over 1,100 shops in the commercial plaza. So far, only 23 victims have been identified.

After nine days of extensive search operations through the debris, the rescue efforts concluded on Sunday, and the building has since been sealed. Temporary traffic restrictions on M.A. Jinnah Road have been lifted, while the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has started installing green construction mesh around the plaza.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for the victims of the tragedy. Speaking to the media in Karachi, he said the government would rebuild Gul Plaza within two months and provide shops to the affected traders.

“There is no compensation for a human life, but we stand with the victims,” Murad Ali Shah said, announcing Rs10 million in compensation for the families of those who lost their lives.

He also declared that each shopkeeper would receive Rs500,000 for two months to support household expenses until business activities resume. The Sindh government, in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, will also help cover losses of goods destroyed in the fire.

The chief minister said the new building would be constructed jointly with shopkeepers and would not exceed the original number of shops. Additionally, loans worth Rs10 million per shop will be facilitated through the Sindh Investment Department, with the provincial government covering the interest.

Murad Ali Shah stressed that those responsible for the tragedy would be brought to justice, admitting that systemic shortcomings had contributed to the disaster. He added that committees had been formed to audit buildings across the province to prevent such incidents in the future.

“All buildings will be surveyed and given safety instructions within a week. Any structure that fails to comply will be sealed. There will be no compromise on safety,” he said.

The tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about building safety standards in Karachi and the need for strict enforcement of fire safety regulations.
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KarachiPolice

KarachiTragedy

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