Sindh Cabinet Approves Rs100 Million Compensation per Victim in Gul Plaza Tragedy

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** The Sindh Cabinet has approved compensation of Rs100 million per victim for the families of those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza tragedy.

The decision was taken during a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah. The meeting was informed that shopkeepers affected by the Gul Plaza incident are being paid Rs500,000 each through the Commissioner to cover kitchen and utility expenses.

The cabinet also approved the provision of interest-free loans amounting to Rs100 million per affected shopkeeper. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated that it is the collective responsibility of the government to provide maximum possible relief to the victims. He clarified that the Sindh government will bear the interest on these loans, which are aimed at helping traders restart their businesses.

Expressing deep sorrow over the Gul Plaza incident, the cabinet formed a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. The committee includes provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar. The sub-committee will review the report of the inquiry committee headed by the Commissioner Karachi and decide further action based on its findings.

The cabinet further decided that all affected shopkeepers will be provided shop facilities within two months to help them resume their businesses. The Chief Minister assured that all possible measures would be taken to ensure the protection and rehabilitation of the affected traders.

In addition, the Sindh Cabinet approved revisions in the cost of major transport infrastructure projects. The cost of the Karachi Mobility Project’s BRT Yellow Line has been increased to $620 million. For this purpose, the World Bank will provide an additional $155.3 million, while the Sindh government will contribute $18.04 million.

The increase in cost was attributed to price hikes since 2019, procurement of electric buses, charging infrastructure, and additional construction of flyovers and underpasses. The Chief Minister directed the Transport Department to ensure completion of the 21-kilometer-long BRT Yellow Line by December 2028.

The cabinet also reviewed the progress of the BRT Red Line project, setting a target for its completion by June 2026. Additionally, approval was granted for Rs300 million to acquire land from PTCL for the Malir depot. K-Electric has assured that utility relocation work will be completed by February 2026.