The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has formally approached the prime minister, asking him to constitute a high-powered inquiry commission and set up a relief and rehabilitation fund under the federal government for the affectees of Gul Plaza fire tragedy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
In a statement, the MPM-P said that its chairman, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in this regard.
Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who is also the federal education minister, expressed deep concern over the slow pace of search and rescue operations, stating that even after seven days since the incident, several people remain missing, while many families have yet to receive the bodies of their loved ones. He said the magnitude of the tragedy has left thousands of families in distress and grief.
He said more than 12,000 families have been directly affected by the Gul Plaza fire, and more than 100 people lost their lives.
Dr Siddiqui said the Sindh government, Karachi mayor, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi Development Authority (KDA), and other provincial and municipal institutions were responsible for the tragedy as they failed to enforce safety regulations.
He demanded that the federal government establish an independent, transparent, and impartial commission to be named the Gul Plaza Tragedy Inquiry Commission to uncover the facts, determine responsibility, and ensure accountability.
He proposed that representatives of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the State Bank of Pakistan, Nespak, and other relevant organisations should be made part of the commission.
The MQM-P chairman demanded the creation of a federally administered “Relief and Rehabilitation Fund” to provide financial assistance to the victims and bereaved families.
Reporter: Shoaib Mukhtar