Official Report Reveals Major Safety Lapses in Karachi’s Gul Plaza Fire

Karachi:Authorities have released an official report on the devastating fire at **Gul Plaza** in **Karachi**, exposing serious violations of safety standards and structural irregularities.

According to the report, Gul Plaza had **no emergency exits** and **no proper fire-fighting arrangements**, while narrow entry and exit points created severe technical difficulties for firefighters during rescue operations. These shortcomings significantly hampered efforts to control the blaze.

The report stated that the building, located on **M.A. Jinnah Road**, was originally constructed in 1995 with only a basement, ground floor, and first floor. By 2003, three additional floors were added at different times.

Although the building was designed to accommodate around **500 shops**, the number reportedly increased to **more than 1,200**, putting excessive pressure on the structure and safety systems.

As a result of the **third-degree fire**, six people lost their lives, while several parts of the building collapsed due to the intensity of the flames. The fire broke out around **10:15 pm on Saturday** at the ground floor and rapidly spread up to the third floor.

Authorities noted that the findings highlight serious negligence and underline the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.