Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah distributed compensation cheques to victims of the Gul Plaza incident at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi on Friday, with Rs10 million given in compensation for every deceased. Speaking on the occasion, CM Shah said that payments had already been made to 63 families.

Describing the Gul Plaza incident as “extremely tragic”, CM Shah noted that lives were lost and people’s lifetime savings were destroyed. “There is no price for a human life,” he said.

In mid-January, a fire broke out at Gul Plaza in Karachi, claiming 79 lives and leaving dozens missing. According to the Sindh government’s investigation report, the inferno was triggered by a matchstick at a shop selling artificial flowers.

The Sindh government in April announced that Rs850 million had been allocated for families of the deceased, with Rs10 million fixed per victim. Of 72 affected families, 61 had received compensation by April through cheques delivered to their homes.

Friday’s cheque distribution ceremony was attended by provincial ministers, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, business leaders, and a large number of affected individuals.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Zubair Motiwala said 129 cheques were being distributed among victims, praising the government’s efforts and the patience shown by those affected. He called for the complete demolition of the Gul Plaza building and urged authorities to accommodate shop owners who relied on rental income, adding that compensation should reflect actual losses without discrimination.

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CM Shah, meanwhile, said the government had been working for victims since the first day, with a focus on helping them restart their businesses. He added that decisions based on the inquiry committee’s recommendations would be taken in the next cabinet meeting, while efforts were underway to improve emergency response systems.

“There are shortcomings on all sides, and accountability will follow,” he said, adding that work on compensation and relief would continue regardless.

The government had also engaged with international partners to improve emergency response, CM Shah noted. This, he said, included consultations with a Chinese government-owned entity. “We told them we don’t just need equipment, we need a complete plan,” he said, adding that proposals had been prepared covering fire station locations, training, and equipment needs.

Further, CM Shah acknowledged that the government’s focus had historically been more on development than on municipal services. “We have to improve that. So many lives were lost, and so much property was damaged — it could have been handled better,” he said.

Addressing criticism, he said more than Rs300 billion worth of development projects were underway in Karachi, though the city’s needs were far greater. “The requirement is not Rs300 billion but closer to Rs3 trillion,” he said, noting that while his party had been in power for 17 years, many of the city’s problems predated its tenure.

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He cited ongoing infrastructure projects, including new flyovers and road links, and said efforts were underway to address long-standing issues such as the rehabilitation of University Road. “Wherever I go, people ask why it hasn’t been fixed. It’s something we are actively working on,” he said. Cm Shah also mentioned in jest that people have started saying that even the Strait of Hormuz opened before University Road.

CM Shah reassured that the government was determined to resolve public problems despite criticism. “If you do nothing, people complain; if you act, they question your motives — but our focus is on delivery,” he added.

Thanking the KCCI for its support in implementing relief measures, the and expressed appreciation to the Gul Plaza victims for their patience. “Despite provocation, I assure you that as long as I am here, no injustice will be done,” he said. Although he said there may be delays on the government’s part, “there will be no ill intent,” the CM said.