JI Karachi Leader Denounces Gul Plaza Fire Committee as Fraud, Announces Major Protest March
KARACHI – Monem Zafar, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi, has issued a scathing rejection of the commissioner-led fact-finding committee investigating the Gul Plaza Tragedy, branding it a fraudulent exercise. He asserted that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government in Sindh and the installed mayor cannot evade responsibility for the horrific fire, which claimed over 80 lives and caused extensive property and wealth damage, by attempting to link the tragedy to a child.
Demand for Judicial Commission and Criticism of Government Response
While visiting the JI camp at Hyderi Market, established in connection with the grand and historic "Let Karachi Live March" scheduled for February 1 at 3:00 PM on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Zafar expressed these views. He emphasized that the JI has demanded from day one the formation of a judicial commission headed by a High Court judge to conduct a thorough investigation into the Gul Plaza incident.
Zafar highlighted the government's incompetence, noting that the fire raged for four days while institutions waited for it to extinguish on its own. "The incompetence of the Sindh government, the Karachi mayor, and concerned institutions is evident to all," he stated, adding that Karachi has been turned into an abandoned city, but the JI will not leave its people helpless and will continue to fight their case.
Questioning Emergency Services and Announcing Protest March
Speaking to media representatives, Zafar questioned the whereabouts of Rescue 1122, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) during the tragedy. He reported that fire tenders either lacked water or diesel, and water tankers arrived one and a half hours late, which he termed criminal negligence.
"It is alarming that a city of 35 million people has only 42 fire tenders," Zafar remarked. He announced that the JI will organize a massive "Let Karachi Live" march on Shahrah-e-Faisal on February 1 to protest the government's failures and demand accountability.
Economic Contributions and Call for Answers
Zafar pointed out Karachi's critical role in Pakistan's economy, contributing 67% of national revenue, 95% of the provincial budget, and 54% of the country's exports. Yet, he lamented, such a fire incident could not be handled effectively. He called on the Sindh government, the mayor, and relevant institutions to answer why such grave destruction occurred.
During his visit, Zafar was accompanied by North Nazimabad Town Chairman Atif Ali Khan, Vice Chairman Ziauddin Jami, Hyderi Market President Syed Faraz Ahmed, other trader leaders, and JI officials. Traders warmly welcomed him and assured full support, cooperation, and participation in the upcoming march, with Syed Faraz Ahmed pledging to join for the sake of the city.
