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6 Killed in Karachi Shopping Mall Blaze In Southern Pakistan

By The South Asia Times

KARACHI — At least six people have died and around 20 others were injured after a massive fire broke out at Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Pakistan's port city of Karachi on Saturday night, the Edhi Foundation and Rescue 1122 confirmed.

The blaze, which erupted on the building’s ground floor—apparently caused by a short circuit—quickly spread through the mall, which houses approximately 1,200 shops selling clothes, crockery, electrical appliances, cosmetics, and perfumes. The fire intensified due to the flammable materials inside.

By early Sunday, authorities said around 30% of the fire had been brought under control. A portion of the building had already collapsed, prompting rescue teams to work cautiously amid fears of further structural failure. Twenty fire tenders from various departments were deployed to extinguish the blaze.

South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza confirmed that the initial death toll of three had risen to five, before the Edhi Foundation later reported a sixth fatality, according to daily Dawn.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori ordered authorities to expedite rescue and relief efforts and submit a full report on the incident. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed traffic diversions in the area to ensure safe passage for citizens and emergency vehicles.

Rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to secure the site and investigate the cause of the fire.