Karachi has once again witnessed a heartbreaking tragedy. In Pakistan, especially in crowded urban centers like Karachi, safety is still treated as an afterthought rather than a necessity
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
Karachi has once again witnessed a heartbreaking tragedy. The recent fire at Gul Plaza, one of the city’s oldest and busiest commercial centers, exposed the fragility of our public safety systems and the price we pay for neglecting them. The blaze engulfed large sections of the multi-story shopping complex, trapping shopkeepers, workers, and visitors inside. Thick smoke filled the corridors, panic spread, and precious lives were lost before rescue teams could bring the situation under control.
This was not just a fire; it was a reminder.
A reminder that in Pakistan, especially in crowded urban centers like Karachi, safety is still treated as an afterthought rather than a necessity. Buildings are erected to maximize space and profit, but rarely to ensure survival during emergencies.
The Contrast with Developed Countries
In developed nations, such disasters are far less deadly, not because fires don’t happen, but because they are prepared for them. Shopping centers and commercial buildings are required to have:
- Fully functional emergency exits on every floor.
- Fire extinguishers installed at short distances from one another.
- Smoke detectors and automatic fire alarms.
- Sprinkler systems that activate instantly.
- Clearly visible and illuminated exit signs to guide people.
- Dedicated escape routes and fire-safe stairwells.
- Hydrants installed inside and outside buildings.
- And most importantly, trained safety personnel on site.
Regular fire drills are conducted to ensure that systems work and that people know how to evacuate calmly. These measures save lives, and they turn disasters into manageable incidents rather than mass tragedies.
What Lessons Should We Learn?
The Gul Plaza fire raises painful but necessary questions:
- Do we only learn after lives are lost?
- Why are safety codes ignored until tragedy strikes?
- What comes next: another inquiry, another forgotten report, another disaster?
We cannot keep mourning while repeating the same mistakes.
The lesson is clear: public safety must become mandatory, enforceable, and visible.
Global Examples Where Safety Saved Lives
There have been major fires worldwide, but due to strong building design and emergency systems, human loss remained minimal:
- The MGM Grand Hotel Fire, Las Vegas (1980): A massive fire killed 85 people, but after that, strict fire safety regulations were enforced across the United States. Today, modern hotels and malls are equipped with advanced suppression systems, reducing casualties dramatically in similar incidents.
- The Address Downtown Hotel Fire, Dubai (2015): One of the tallest buildings caught fire on New Year’s Eve. Despite the scale, no fatalities occurred because the building had automatic alarms, sprinklers, evacuation plans, and trained emergency staff.
- Grenfell Tower, London (2017): Though tragic, it led to major reforms. New buildings now require fire-resistant materials, multiple exits, and strict safety compliance.
These cases show that the difference between life and death is preparation, not luck.
How Should We Design Our Buildings?
To prevent another Gul Plaza-like catastrophe, we must rethink how commercial buildings are constructed:
- Multiple Wide Emergency Exits: Each floor should have at least two accessible exit routes.
- Fire-Resistant Materials: Walls, ceilings, and wiring must be flame-retardant.
- Smoke Detection and Alarm Systems: Early alerts save time and lives.
- Automatic Sprinkler Systems: These can control fires before they spread.
- Water Hydrants: Installed both inside and outside buildings to cool flames quickly.
- Emergency Staircases: Protected from smoke and flames for safe evacuation.
- Illuminated Exit Signage: So even in darkness and smoke, people can escape.
- Trained Emergency Staff: Security guards must be trained in evacuation and firefighting.
- Mandatory Fire Drills: Conducted regularly, especially in shopping centers and public buildings.
- Clear Layout and Escape Maps: Posted on each floor.
Other Protective Measures Needed
- Portable and wall-mounted fire extinguishers.
- Fire blankets and emergency lighting.
- Centralized alarm panels are monitored continuously.
- Fire-safe elevators or lift shutdown systems.
- Public announcement systems for instructions.
- External fire brigade access points.
- Emergency assembly points outside buildings.
A Time for Reform, Not Just Regret
If this tragedy becomes just another headline, we will fail those who lost their lives. Real progress requires:
- Strict enforcement of building codes.
- Government inspections and certifications.
- Accountability for negligence.
- And public awareness about emergency preparedness.
Because the question is not whether another fire will occur.
The question is whether we will be ready.
A Message of Sympathy
My deepest sympathy goes to all those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza fire. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who now carry an unbearable loss. May they find strength and patience in this painful time.
Let this tragedy not be forgotten.
Let it become the moment we finally choose safety over neglect.
Read: Lives of Construction Workers at Risk
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
