Stars rally behind Karachi plaza inferno victims, call for accountability

As people from all walks of life expressed solidarity with the victims of the devastating Karachi plaza fire, celebrities added their voices in support of grieving families, condemning official negligence and hollow assurances.

Rescue workers intensified relief and search efforts at Gul Plaza on Tuesday after fears emerged that the multi-storey building could collapse.

One portion of the structure had already caved in, while several pillars of the remaining building reportedly bent due to the intense heat of the blaze.

Families rushed to the site after the fire erupted late Saturday night at one of Karachi’s busiest commercial centres. The death toll climbed to at least 26 while hunt for more than 80 missing people is on.

Several celebrities took to social media to express grief and anger over the tragedy. Pakistan’s most-followed celebrity Hania Aamir described the incident as “devastating” and stressed the need for accountability to prevent such disasters in the future. She offered prayers for the bereaved families, urging strength and patience in the face of irreparable loss.

Also Read: Fearing Gul Plaza collapse, rescuers pace up relief operation

“What happened at Gul Plaza is devastating. Lives were lost in a way that should never happen,” her post read. “This wasn’t just an accident. It’s a reminder of how negligence, ignored safety and silence cost real people their futures. We owe the victims more than condolences. We owe them accountability. May the families find strength in unimaginable loss.”

Aiman Khan also expressed sorrow, saying she was heartbroken by the incident and that her thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their loved ones. Zhalay Sarhadi prayed for the departed souls and for patience for grieving families.

Minal Khan shared a powerful note reflecting on Karachi’s longstanding struggles with governance and safety. Calling the city “loved in words but abandoned in action,” she lamented the lack of responsibility despite the presence of multiple authorities. She described Gul Plaza as more than just a building, calling it a place deeply woven into the memories of Karachites.

“This wasn’t just a fire,” she wrote. “It was a painful reminder of what happens when safety becomes optional and human life becomes a statistic.”

Social media influencer Jannat Mirza re-posted a message stating: “Karachi's Gul Plaza is burning and with it, lives, livelihoods, assets and decades of hard work. Thousands affected. Reportedly, there’s only one fire extinguisher in a building full of people and businesses. What do we say when preventable disasters keep repeating? Who do we ask?”

Mahira Khan shared her anguish as well, saying: “Heartbreaking. The more I watch videos coming out of this tragic incident, the angrier and more helpless I feel.

“Is this an accident or just plain indifference? I’ve been to Gul Plaza, and even on a normal day, getting out is tough with the kind of exits they have. How does one make sense of lives lost? How does one compensate for it?”  She prayed for the bereaved families too.