Rescue operations at Karachi's Gul Plaza shopping center entered their fifth day on January 21, 2026, with authorities confirming 60 fatalities and over 80 people still missing following a catastrophic fire that engulfed the building on January 17. Emergency teams continue combing through unstable sections of the collapsed structure amid mounting public concerns about building safety standards and emergency response protocols.
The blaze, which began during peak shopping hours, trapped hundreds of shoppers and staff members. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab stated: 'We're deploying specialized equipment to reach areas previously inaccessible due to structural damage.' Forensic experts have begun examining electrical systems and fire safety mechanisms to determine the cause of the disaster.
Families maintaining vigil at the site expressed frustration over rescue coordination, with local resident Ahmed Raza telling reporters: 'My brother was working in the mall's electronics store. We've heard nothing since Tuesday.' The tragedy has sparked nationwide debates about commercial building code enforcement, particularly in older structures like the 40-year-old Gul Plaza.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced compensation packages for victims' families during an emergency cabinet session, while the Sindh provincial government has initiated safety audits of all major shopping complexes across Karachi.
