LAHORE: President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faheem ur Rehman Saigol, visited the site of the tragic fire incident at Gul Plaza on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, and expressed heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the families of the deceased and the affected traders.
During the visit, the LCCI President reviewed the extent of damage caused by the fire and received a briefing from officials regarding rescue and relief operations.
Faheem ur Rehman Saigol met representatives of Gul Plaza traders and shop owners, listened to their concerns, losses, and fears, and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives. He termed the incident a major tragedy not only for Karachi but for the entire country.
He offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls, asking for patience and strength for the families to bear this irreparable loss. He emphasised that the rescue operations, identification of missing persons, and DNA matching process should be carried out swiftly and transparently so that affected families can be informed at the earliest.
The LCCI President said the tragic incident highlights the serious consequences of poor implementation of fire safety and building regulations in commercial buildings, shopping plazas, and markets. He stressed that relevant authorities must fulfil their responsibilities honestly, and no leniency should be shown in cases of violation of safety rules.
He stated that the LCCI, along with chambers across the country, stands firmly with the affected traders and that they will not be left alone in this difficult time. He welcomed the Sindh government’s announcement of compensation for the families of the deceased and urged the government to introduce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for the affected shopkeepers at the earliest.
He appreciated the efforts of rescue services, the fire brigade, police, and other law enforcement agencies, saying that despite difficult and dangerous conditions, they performed commendable services to save lives. He also stressed the need to establish an effective and permanent system for fire safety audits, emergency exits, and safety arrangements in the future.
He assured that the LCCI will raise its voice at all relevant forums regarding the causes of the incident, fixing responsibility, and implementing safety reforms, and will extend full cooperation to improve safety standards in commercial buildings across the country.
