President Asif Ali Zardari took notice of the deadly fire at Gul Plaza in Karachi and asked for a detailed briefing on the situation.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and especially paid tribute to firefighter Furqan Shaukat, who lost his life while performing his duty during the rescue operation. The president praised his bravery and selfless service, saying his sacrifice should be remembered and honored.
President Zardari recommended that the late firefighter be nominated for a Civil Award in recognition of his courage and dedication. He said such acts of heroism reflect the highest values of public service and deserve national appreciation.
He also extended his condolences to the family of the martyred firefighter and to all those who lost loved ones in the incident.
The president stressed that providing immediate and proper medical care to the injured must remain a top priority. He directed relevant authorities to ensure that all affected individuals receive timely treatment and full support. He also called for special attention to those suffering from severe burns and smoke-related injuries.
In addition, President Zardari highlighted the urgent need to strictly enforce fire safety rules across the country. He said weak safety measures and poor inspections often lead to such tragedies.
To prevent future incidents, he emphasized the establishment of a modern and effective inspection system for both commercial and residential buildings.
The president said lessons must be learned from this tragic incident. He urged authorities to take practical steps to improve safety standards, strengthen emergency response systems, and protect lives. According to him, ensuring public safety is a shared responsibility that must not be ignored.
