Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has announced the provision of 1,200 free stalls for traders affected by the Gul Plaza incident during Ramadan. These stalls will be set up at the Polo Ground red zone, allowing traders to resume their businesses without paying any stall fees.
The mayor directed officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to prepare a proper rehabilitation plan and maintain close coordination with traders and the market administration.
He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Sindh government, and the KMC stand by the affected traders and victims, especially during Ramadan, which is considered a crucial period for business activities. The initiative is part of a wider plan aimed at providing relief to those impacted before the reconstruction of the damaged plaza begins.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also assured financial assistance and further support for the affected traders. In collaboration with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the government will arrange temporary rent-free business spaces until Gul Plaza is rebuilt.
He stated that each trader would receive Rs500,000, while families of those who lost their lives would be given Rs10 million. The new Gul Plaza will be constructed with modern safety measures and is expected to be completed within two years.
Officials declared the building unsafe after the fire and suggested demolishing it once rescue operations and debris clearance are completed. Authorities now plan to rebuild the plaza with improved safety features to safeguard traders and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.