Karachi Mayor Visits Fire-Ravaged Gul Plaza After 23 Hours, Faces Public Protest

Islamabad (Daily Qudrat) – Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the fire-ravaged Gul Plaza after a delay of 23 hours, where he was met with protests and slogans by angry citizens.

Speaking to the media at the site, the mayor said that some people raised slogans but added that he fully understood the pain and suffering of the affected public. He stated that the fire had been brought under control, though he could not give a specific timeline for the completion of the cooling process. According to traders, firefighters were able to access the building through only one route.

Murtaza Wahab said efforts were ongoing to rescue missing persons, adding that, as per information from locals, rescue operations were also being carried out from the rear side of the building. He noted that firefighters had been battling the blaze continuously for the past 24 hours.

The mayor further stated that around **65 people are still missing**, while congestion at the site has created difficulties for rescue operations. He also confirmed that **a firefighter lost his life in the line of duty** during the operation.

Acknowledging public anger, Murtaza Wahab said that people were emotional and their grief was understandable. He welcomed criticism, saying that the fire brigade had been working since the previous day. He clarified that the emergency call was received at **10:27 am**, and fire brigade teams reached the scene within **15 minutes**, rejecting claims that there was any delay in response.

After visiting Gul Plaza, the mayor went to the nearby Deputy Commissioner’s office, where citizens also staged a protest outside the premises.