By Micah Jonah
January 18, 2026
At least six people have been killed and around 20 others injured after a fire tore through the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistani authorities reported.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, managing to control roughly 30 percent of it by early Sunday.
The mall, a densely packed commercial complex housing approximately 1,200 shops, partially collapsed during the fire, complicating rescue efforts. Initial investigations suggest the fire started from a short circuit in one of the shops, which rapidly spread throughout the building.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences, directed authorities to provide full medical care to the injured and support to affected traders. Officials warned that a detailed investigation is required to determine the exact cause of the fire.
