Traders and residents in Karachi have criticised authorities for a delayed and under-resourced response to the devastating Gul Plaza fire, saying the blaze could have been contained sooner if fire brigades and civic officials had acted promptly. According to shopkeepers near the shopping complex on M.A. Jinnah Road, the Saddar Fire Station is located only minutes from the scene, yet full firefighting efforts did not begin until the following morning. Locals also reported a shortage of water during early response efforts, further hindering operations. Business owners lamented that timely action might have saved lives and preserved livelihoods, lamenting that hundreds of shops housing thousands of goods were consumed by flames. Residents questioned the absence of senior government figures during the critical early hours and highlighted infrastructure issues, including the difficulty of positioning water bowsers on the narrow road. The fire has left the Saddar area steeped in fear and mourning as the community grapples with tragic loss of property and life.
Gul Plaza Fire: Traders Blame Delayed Government Response
