Karachi’s Gul Plaza Sealed After Deadly Blaze

Authorities have officially sealed Gul Plaza in Karachi following a devastating fire that claimed dozens of lives. The search and rescue operation, which lasted nearly ten days, has now concluded, marking a critical step toward accountability and safety.

The blaze erupted on January 17, 2026, inside one of Karachi’s busiest shopping centers. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover victims and clear debris, confirming at least 73 deaths. DNA testing has helped identify 23 of the victims, while several remain missing.

The Sindh Building Control Authority declared the structure unsafe, leading to its closure. Experts from the Lahore Forensic Laboratory and the Pakistan Engineering Council will now conduct a detailed inspection to determine the building’s structural integrity and uncover the cause of the fire. Officials estimate that the investigation may take more than a week.

Gul Plaza housed over 1,200 shops, making it a vital commercial hub for Karachi. Its closure has left hundreds of shopkeepers and workers without livelihoods, raising urgent questions about compensation and rehabilitation.

This tragedy has reignited concerns about building safety standards and emergency preparedness in Pakistan’s urban centers. Karachi has witnessed several commercial fires in recent years, often linked to poor compliance with safety codes and inadequate firefighting infrastructure.

The Gul Plaza fire is now considered one of the deadliest urban blazes in Pakistan’s history. As forensic experts begin their work, families of victims and survivors await answers, hoping for justice and stronger enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future disasters.