Rebuild plan, payouts advance for Gul Plaza victims
IV Report
KARACHI: Sindh government in
addition to providing financial compensations to victim shopkeepers of the
tragic huge fire incident at Gul Plaza, Karachi, or their families, is
preparing rebuilding the blaze-gutted commercial complex housing over 1200
small or big shops, it emerged on April 1.
The
development came as Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level
meeting at the CM House to review the pace of compensation disbursement and
outline steps for reconstruction of the market, which was devastated by a
massive fire on January 19.
Officials briefed the meeting that
the provincial government had earmarked Rs850 million for families of those who
lost their lives in the incident, fixing compensation at Rs10 million per
deceased. Out of 72 reported fatalities, cheques have so far been delivered to
61 families at their residences by provincial ministers, while the remaining
cases are at various stages of processing.
According to Commissioner Karachi Hassan
Naqvi, some delays were linked to procedural requirements. He said CNICs of
widows of three victims were in the final stages of processing with the National
Database and Registration Authority, while four cases required further verification
due to discrepancies in family claims, involving inquiries in Balochistan and
Azad Kashmir. In addition, police records indicate that four victims’ bodies
remain unclaimed.
IV file photo
On the traders’ side, the government
has allocated Rs600 million to support affected shopkeepers, with each eligible
for Rs500,000 based on verified data provided by the Karachi Chamber of
Commerce & Industry. A committee constituted on the chief minister’s
directives has been tasked with verifying ownership and losses.
So far, 843 shopkeepers have
received financial assistance through cheques distributed at the KCCI office.
However, officials pointed out complications in cases where multiple shops are
owned or operated by a single individual or business entity, as well as discrepancies
in the total number of shops. Earlier estimates put the figure at 1,184, while
updated KCCI data suggests 1,209 affected units.
Expressing concern over delays, the
chief minister directed authorities to expedite verification and ensure timely
disbursement to all entitled beneficiaries. He stressed that the process must
remain transparent and free of ambiguity, particularly in determining whether
compensation should be made per shop or per individual entity.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah
He also instructed officials to
strengthen coordination with NADRA to fast-track pending documentation and
ordered that out-of-province verifications be completed on priority through
proper channels. Furthermore, he called for reconciliation of discrepancies in
the number of affected shops and directed the KCCI and relevant authorities to
submit a final, verified list at the earliest.
On reconstruction, the chief
minister directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to submit a
comprehensive plan for rebuilding the plaza, emphasising that work should begin
as soon as possible. He also instructed the Karachi commissioner to initiate
demolition of the damaged structure, after informing the judicial commission,
to pave the way for reconstruction.
Reaffirming the government’s
commitment, Mr Shah said relief and rehabilitation measures would be carried
out with full transparency and accountability to ensure justice for the victims
and revival of commercial activity at the site, according to an official handout.
Meeting photos: CM House
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