KARACHI – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday announced a compensation of Rs10 million each for the families whose loved ones died in the Gul Plaza fire tragedy, and vowed to rehabilitate the the affected traders.
The CM also assured immediate relief for the affected families and traders.
He made this announcement while chairing a high-level meeting that was held in Karachi. Provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, the Mayor of Karachi and other senior officials were also present.
During the meeting, the chief minister reviewed the situation and relief measures following the devastating fire.
CM Murad said that financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident would begin from tomorrow (Tuesday). Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, he said the loss of lives has left many families devastated while hundreds of shop owners have been rendered jobless due to the destruction of their businesses.
The chief minister said President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have been in constant contact and have directed that traders affected by the Gul Plaza fire be rehabilitated without delay. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring all affected individuals.
The officials informed the meeting that Gul Plaza houses approximately 1,200 shops, meaning nearly 1,200 traders have been affected by the incident. Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for all victims.
Calling the fire a major incident, the chief minister said rescue teams and firefighters are attempting to access the building from three different points, while 73 people are still reported missing. He said efforts are ongoing to trace the missing individuals.
The CM also ordered the immediate removal of debris and directed that a forensic investigation be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. He stressed that the families of those martyred in the incident must be provided compensation at the earliest.
According to the spokesperson, the Sindh government also constituted a committee to oversee relief, compensation and rehabilitation efforts for the Gul Plaza victims.
