Gul Plaza

Gul Plaza is a sprawling, multi-story shopping center in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, containing approximately 1,200 stores and spanning 8,000 sq m. It is located in the city's business district. Gul Plaza is currently newsworthy due to a massive fire that broke out on Saturday, January 18, 2026, and burned for over 24 hours. The fire has resulted in at least 67 deaths, with over 77 people reported missing. Parts of the building have collapsed, hampering rescue efforts. Survivors have reported locked exits and panic during the blaze. The incident has raised urgent questions about building safety, rescue capacity, and urban governance in Karachi, exposing potential safety failures. A police investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. The event is considered Karachi's deadliest fire in years.