Three Killed, Several Injured As Massive Fire Engulfs Gul Plaza Mall In Pakistan's Karachi

At least three people were killed and several others sustained injuries following a massive fire that erupted at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi late Saturday night, according to a report by Dawn. Dr Sabir Memon, Executive Director of the trauma centre at Civil Hospital Karachi, confirmed that three bodies were brought to the facility, with all three individuals already deceased upon arrival.

South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza said that at least seven other individuals were injured in the incident. Rescue 1122 officials stated that the fire started in shops located on the ground floor of the high-rise commercial building, with several people reportedly trapped on the upper floors.

“Six injured persons

have been shifted to hospital,” Rescue 1122 spokesperson Hassaanul Haseeb Khan said, adding that multiple fire tenders were engaged in firefighting operations.

What Caused The Fire?

Garden Sub-Divisional Police Officer Mohsin Raza indicated that initial findings suggested the fire was caused by a short circuit in one of the shops, which then spread throughout the entire shopping mall. Seven fire brigade vehicles were dispatched to the site, and authorities at Civil Hospital were alerted.

Tragic Fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi
A devastating fire erupted late Saturday night (January 17, 2026) at Gul Plaza, a major multistory commercial hub on M.A. Jinnah Road in Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling economic center. The blaze started around 10 p.m. local time,… pic.twitter.com/UzsYUFRU1c

— Guɲŧher (@GUNXHER) January 17, 2026

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed concern over the incident and directed relevant authorities to expedite rescue and relief operations. He requested a detailed report on the incident and firefighting efforts, assuring traders and those affected of full cooperation.

As per a report by Dawn, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar instructed officials to divert traffic to alternative routes to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations. He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and stressed the importance of securing the building to prevent the blaze from spreading further.