Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday announced the government will provide Rs10 million in compensation to the families of each victim who lost their lives in the deadly Gul Plaza fire.

According to the chief minister, disbursement of the compensation amount will begin on Tuesday.

He confirmed that 15 bodies have so far been recovered, while 65 people remain missing.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said the Sindh government shares in the grief of the bereaved families.

He emphasised that similar incidents have occurred in Karachi in the past, underscoring the need to learn from them.

The chief minister said that over 100 firefighters participated in the rescue operation and that around 80 people were affected by the fire.

He added that 22 injured individuals have been discharged after receiving initial medical treatment, while efforts to locate missing persons are ongoing.

Regarding the cause of the fire, Murad Ali Shah said it has not yet been determined. He instructed the Karachi Commissioner to estimate the financial losses.

The chief minister revealed that Gul Plaza housed nearly 1,200 shops, with approximately 40 per cent of the building destroyed and the remaining structure deemed unsafe.

He added that about 10 per cent of the fire is still not fully under control.

Measures are being taken to provide alternative space to affected shopkeepers, he said, adding that a committee has been established to oversee the rehabilitation of victims.

Murad Ali Shah said that if evidence of sabotage emerges, strict action would be taken.

However, he clarified that the inquiry aims not to assign blame but to correct mistakes, noting that while errors occurred, it is too early to determine who was at fault.

Murad Ali Shah described Gul Plaza as a well-known shopping centre visited by many citizens, adding that the tragedy was a source of grief for everyone.

He paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of firefighters and rescue personnel, adding that one firefighter, identified as Furqan, lost his life while performing his duties.

Murad Ali Shah added that, in addition to the loss of precious human lives, the incident had also caused significant financial damage.

Calling the incident deeply tragic, he said the Sindh government would conduct a thorough investigation and identify those responsible after completing the inquiry.

He appealed to the public to allow rescue personnel to carry out their duties, adding that the community collectively shares some responsibility in preventing such lapses.

The chief minister further stated that 135 buildings in Karachi underwent fire audits in 2024 and that the Karachi Commissioner is conducting a full investigation into the Gul Plaza incident.