‘Lesson for all of us’: PPP’s Sherry Rehman says no need to politicise fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday said that there is no need to politicise the fire which broke out in Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping mall.

She made the remarks after MQM Senator Khalida Ateeb called the House’s attention to the incident and lambasted the Sindh government for its negligence.

Calling the incident “heartbreaking” while speaking on the floor of the Senate, Rehman said that there can be no compensation for all of the lives lost.

She asserted that the entire Sindh government was active and dealing with the situation. However, she conceded that the fire brigade took time to reach the site after the fire broke out as there was a large crowd gathered at the scene.

She added that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had announced Rs10m as compensation for the affected families.

“Shutting down private enterprise is harmful, since this is such a big plaza. But fire safety is necessary for a city like Karachi and one should ask the administration of Gul Plaza about how it happened, since they run the market,” she added.

Senator Rehman clarified that she was not making excuses and said the incident was “a huge lesson for all of us”.

“It was a big and tragic incident but there is no need for pointing fingers or engaging in politics,” she stated. “I will not politicise this issue.”

“If there is any aid or assistance that they (the MQM) can extend to us, then I urge them to do that, but sadly, it will be politicised,” Senator Rehman added. “Our doors are open for both relief and criticism.”

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