The fire at Gul Plaza on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi has resulted in huge financial losses, leaving traders and workers in deep distress.
Business owners at the shopping plaza estimate that the damage runs into billions of rupees, as many shops were completely destroyed by the flames. Expensive goods, machinery, and shop fittings were reduced to ashes, wiping out years of hard work in just a few hours.
Shopkeepers said the fire spread so quickly that there was no time to save stock or important documents. Many traders lost all their merchandise, including electronics, garments, cosmetics, and other items stored inside their shops. As a result, several business owners are now struggling to understand how they will restart their businesses.
The impact of the fire has also affected employees who worked at Gul Plaza. Hundreds of workers have suddenly lost their source of income and are now worried about how they will support their families.
Some shop owners said they employed multiple workers who depended on daily wages, making the situation even more difficult.
Traders have raised concerns about safety arrangements in the building, saying fire prevention systems were either missing or not working properly.
They have demanded a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to fix responsibility. Many are also asking the government to provide financial relief and compensation to help them recover from the loss.
While rescue teams focused on controlling the fire and ensuring no one remained trapped, the next challenge is rebuilding livelihoods. For many traders, recovery will take months or even years. Until proper support is provided, uncertainty continues to hang over those affected by the Gul Plaza tragedy.
