Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Chairman and Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui announced on Sunday the allocation of residential plots to families affected by the Gul Plaza fire tragedy. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Governor House in Karachi, where Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, MQM-P leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Ali Khurshidi, members of the national and provincial assemblies, office-bearers of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives from the Burns community, and others were present.
Dr Siddiqui addressed the gathering, stating that Karachi had already suffered “every possible injustice,” with forces lacking genuine stake in the city attempting to impose political coercion. He said the services being rendered at the Governor House surpassed politics and vowed MQM-P would prevent Karachi from descending into chaos.
Referring to the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, he claimed taxpayers were the city’s biggest stakeholders but had been “burned alive and buried under their own buildings.” Noting that even the Prime Minister House and Chief Minister House failed to provide relief, he stated that if necessary, the Governor House would step in as Karachi’s “guarantor and trustee.”
Governor Tessori addressed the gathering, having witnessed people being burned alive during the fire. He lamented the administration’s lack of resources and preparedness for such tragedies. He also criticized the government for often using compensation to silence bereaved families without outlining preventive measures.
Tessori called upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan’s top military leadership to decide Karachi’s future, asserting that less than five percent of taxes collected from the city were spent on it. He mentioned contacting builders and offering free plots to victims’ families as a solution.
Tutoring less about India’s involvement in Balochistan and its social media propaganda, Governor Tessori warned against interference. MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar called for setting up a judicial commission under the chief justice to identify responsibilities. He said if Karachi could survive, Pakistan would endure as well.
Zubair Motiwala, a business leader, urged concrete measures from the business community to prevent future incidents and support victims. Former KCCI president Javed Bilwani and Saylani Welfare head Maulana Bashir Farooqi also emphasized collective responsibility and long-term support for affected families.
Representatives of Gul Plaza management and civil society groups welcomed the assurance of assistance, urging reforms for safety and accountability in the city.