The fire at Gul Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road in #Karachi represents a significant catastrophe, resulting in considerable loss of life and property.
#GulPlazaFire
This devastating event fills me with profound sadness, and I empathize with the grief experienced by those affected families.
I urge Field Marshal Hafiz Asim Munir to initiate a thorough investigation into whether the fire at Gul Plaza occurred due to an accident or was deliberately ignited with ill intent. Although the government might offer explanations like gas leaks, electrical faults, or gas cylinder explosions, it is crucial to carry out an in-depth inquiry to uncover the true cause. Karachi, as the largest city in Pakistan with more than forty million inhabitants, is the country's foremost contributor of tax revenue. Yet it remains deprived of fundamental amenities. The Pakistan People's Party which has ruled Sindh for the past sixty years, has utterly devastated the province. This party has systematically dismantled the institutions crucial to a city like Karachi. While a modern fire brigade and advanced firefighting equipment are essential, the Peoples Party has severely neglected the fire services in Karachi. There is a significant shortage of necessary firefighting tools, including snorkels and fire trucks, for such a vast metropolis. Even during this severe fire event, the response from the fire brigade was delayed, as the inept Peoples Party has turned Karachi's roadways into a state of disrepair. When MQM was first allowed to manage city affairs through the Karachi Municipal Corporation, I prioritized procuring snorkels to enhance the fire fighting capability. Our desire was to achieve much for the city, but a crackdown against MQM was initiated. When given another chance, we conducted extensive development initiatives that transformed Karachi, earning widespread admiration. Unfortunately, we faced another wave of oppression thereafter. Currently, Karachi is in a state of complete devastation. Had MQM been given the power to oversee the city's administration, the impact of such a fire incident would have been significantly mitigated, ensuring a swift response from emergency services to extinguish the flames. Only those with genuine ties and dedication to Karachi can serve the city effectively. Once again, I call upon Field Marshal Asim Munir to liberate Karachi from the corrupt grip of the People's Party, which harbors animosity toward the city. May Allah grant mercy to those who perished in the Gul Plaza blaze, deliver a fast recovery to the injured, and provide a means for those who lost their livelihoods in the fire to rebuild their businesses.
Altaf Hussain.
London.
378th public speech via TikTok on January 17, 2026.
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