KARACHI, Jan 22 (APP): The Sindh government on Thursday assured full support to traders affected by the recent fire at Gul Plaza, announcing compensation measures, alternative business arrangements and a province-wide review of safety systems in shopping centres.
The assurances were given during a meeting chaired by Provincial Ministers Nasir Hussain Shah and Jam Ikramullah Dharejo at the Old KDA Building, Sindh Secretariat. The meeting was attended by a delegation of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran Sindh led by its president Javed Qureshi, along with Secretary Industries and Commerce Shazia Jaffar and other senior officials.
Nasir Hussain Shah said the government shared the grief of the affected traders and families of the victims and would not abandon them. He announced that temporary alternative spaces would be arranged for traders until reconstruction of the building.
A committee comprising traders would be formed to assess actual losses, while a comprehensive audit of fire alarm, safety and security systems would also be carried out and submitted to the government.
He added that President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had issued special directives to ensure continued assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured.
Speaking on the occasion, Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, a follow-up meeting with the trader community would be held under the chief minister’s chairmanship. He said that although no compensation could make up for the loss of lives, financial assistance would be provided to the injured and all possible relief extended to the affected traders.
The meeting decided to constitute a committee to review fire and safety arrangements in all small and large shopping centres across Karachi.
Representatives of the traders’ bodies appreciated the Sindh government’s relief measures for the families of the deceased and called for legal action against those responsible for negligence.