KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has described the Gul Plaza tragedy as a deeply sorrowful incident affecting not just the victims’ families but the entire nation. He assured that the Sindh government stands with the bereaved during this period of grief. Addressing a press conference, Memon said the government has been working from day one to recover all bodies from the debris. DNA tests are ongoing, and authorities have received information on 86 missing individuals, while efforts continue to locate the rest. He announced compensation of PKR 10 million for each deceased victim’s family and stated that the Sindh government will also cover losses for 1,200 affected shopkeepers. Memon emphasized that previous incidents, including fires at Timber Market and Bolton Market, were similarly addressed through a structured and transparent compensation mechanism. Memon stressed that human life is invaluable and that the government is determined to prevent such incidents in the future. He expressed condolences for a firefighter who died in the line of duty during rescue operations. Referring to past audits, he noted that notices had been issued to all shops on January 1, 2024, when a caretaker Chief Minister was in office. A committee has been tasked with conducting a transparent inquiry into the causes of the fire, potential lapses in rescue operations, and other contributing factors. He added that the Chamber of Commerce delegation met with the Sindh Chief Minister, endorsing fire safety measures across all buildings. However, Memon pointed out that an estimated 90% of buildings nationwide lack proper fire safety systems, and enforcing SOPs often faces resistance. Criticizing political opposition, Memon questioned whether transferring Karachi to federal control would prevent such tragedies, referencing past incidents where political actions led to civilian casualties. He also highlighted ongoing political point-scoring at the expense of victims. Memon accused former Mayor Mustafa Kamal of inconsistent positions, contrasting his past statements with current criticisms, and challenged him on his personal engagement with Gul Plaza. He recalled previous violent incidents on May 12, noting daily civilian casualties at the time, and stressed that the government’s priority is first to deliver the bodies to families, followed by an independent inquiry to hold responsible parties accountable. On comments against the Eighteenth Amendment, Memon said disagreements should be addressed in the assembly, not through media statements. He further highlighted that the PPP has historically practiced reconciliation, citing the period 2008–2013 as free of political prisoners and asserting that Nineteen Zero operations were aimed solely at curbing unrest. Memon concluded that the forensic investigation and probe into potential sabotage at Gul Plaza are ongoing, emphasizing accountability: if his name appears in the inquiry, he will not be exempt from responsibility.