Karachi — Senior politician Farooq Sattar has attributed the deadly Gul Plaza fire tragedy to what he described as inaction, apathy and deep-rooted corruption within government institutions, saying the disaster could have been prevented had safety regulations been properly enforced.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader criticised the performance of authorities responsible for building safety and emergency preparedness. He maintained that repeated warnings and visible violations were ignored, allowing hazardous conditions to persist in the commercial complex until tragedy struck.
Farooq Sattar said the fire was not merely an accident but the outcome of systemic negligence and institutional failure. He accused regulatory bodies of turning a blind eye to violations in exchange for personal gain, creating an environment where public safety was compromised for years.
The politician expressed particular concern over the lack of effective oversight by relevant civic and regulatory agencies, stating that routine inspections were either not conducted or carried out only on paper. He warned that unless strict accountability is ensured, similar incidents could continue to claim lives and property.
Sattar also questioned the emergency response to the blaze, suggesting that delays and inadequate preparedness worsened the impact of the fire. He urged the government to launch an independent and transparent investigation to fix responsibility and bring those responsible to justice.
Calling for immediate reforms, he demanded stronger enforcement of fire safety laws, regular inspections of commercial buildings and meaningful punishment for officials found guilty of negligence. He stressed that public trust could only be restored through visible action rather than symbolic statements.
As anger and grief continue to grip affected families and traders, Farooq Sattar’s remarks have added momentum to growing demands for accountability and structural reforms aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.