A devastating fire that ravaged Gul Plaza, a multi-storey shopping complex in Karachi’s historic Saddar area on Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road, has claimed at least 26 lives as of January 20, 2026, with over 70 people still reported missing. The blaze erupted late on Saturday, January 17, spreading rapidly through the densely packed building that housed around 1,200 shops selling garments, plastics, cosmetics, household goods, and more.
Fueled by highly flammable materials and hampered by poor ventilation and structural overcrowding, the inferno burned uncontrolled for nearly 24–36 hours before being largely extinguished on Sunday night. Rescue operations, involving firefighters, Rescue 1122 teams, army personnel, Rangers, and heavy machinery, continue amid risks of further collapses—parts of the structure have already crumbled, complicating efforts to recover bodies and search for survivors.
The death toll has risen steadily as more remains are pulled from the rubble, including that of at least one firefighter. Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit as the likely trigger, though a police investigation is underway. Economic losses are staggering, with traders estimating millions of dollars in damages during peak wedding season, devastating livelihoods for shopkeepers and vendors.
The tragedy has reignited urgent calls for stricter fire safety enforcement, better building regulations, and improved emergency response in Karachi’s congested commercial districts. As grieving families await news and rescuers persist in the smouldering debris, the incident underscores persistent urban safety failures in Pakistan’s largest city.
