Sanghar: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has rejected suggestions about placing Karachi under federal control, questioning the constitutional basis of such proposals. He stated that there is no provision in any constitution that allows Karachi to be handed over to the federation.
Speaking to the media in Sanghar, the chief minister said that the tragic Gul Plaza incident is being used for political purposes, which he termed unfortunate. He emphasized that such a serious tragedy should not become a point-scoring exercise and must instead be addressed with responsibility and factual investigation.
Murad Ali Shah said that while an investigative report into the Gul Plaza incident has been prepared, it contains certain shortcomings. He stressed that further investigations are necessary to determine the actual causes of the tragedy and to ensure that all responsible factors are properly identified.
“The Gul Plaza incident is being politicized,” the chief minister said. “The investigation report has some flaws, and more inquiry is needed to uncover the real reasons behind the tragedy.”
Referring to the loss of life, Murad Ali Shah described the incident as extremely tragic, noting that 80 people lost their lives. He expressed sorrow over the incident and reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability.
The chief minister revealed that the Sindh government has formally written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, requesting an investigation into the incident. He said the move reflects the government’s seriousness in seeking an impartial and credible inquiry.
“We have written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court for investigations,” Murad Ali Shah said, adding that the government wants the facts to come before the public without any ambiguity.
Addressing concerns related to the future of Gul Plaza, the chief minister announced that the provincial cabinet has decided to reconstruct the plaza. He said that the government plans to rebuild the same number of shops that existed before the incident, ensuring that affected traders are not deprived of their livelihoods.
According to Murad Ali Shah, the Sindh government’s target is to complete the reconstruction of Gul Plaza within two years. He acknowledged that rebuilding would take time but assured that the government is committed to completing the project within the announced timeframe.
“The cabinet has decided that the number of shops rebuilt will be equal to those that existed earlier,” he said. “Our goal is to complete the reconstruction of Gul Plaza within two years.”
The chief minister also addressed broader criticism regarding governance in Karachi. He strongly opposed any suggestion that the city should be placed under federal control, calling such ideas unconstitutional.
“Where is it written? In which constitution is it stated that Karachi can be handed over to the federation?” he asked. “Such statements have no constitutional basis.”
His remarks come amid renewed debate over Karachi’s administrative control following the Gul Plaza tragedy, with some political voices calling for changes in governance arrangements. Murad Ali Shah maintained that Karachi is an integral part of Sindh and will remain under provincial jurisdiction as per the constitution.
Political analysts say the chief minister’s statement reflects growing tensions between the Sindh government and its critics over accountability, urban governance, and disaster management in Karachi. The Gul Plaza incident has intensified scrutiny of safety regulations, emergency response systems, and administrative oversight in the city.
At the same time, opposition parties and civil society groups continue to demand accountability and systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. They argue that repeated tragedies highlight deeper structural problems that go beyond individual incidents.
Murad Ali Shah, however, urged restraint and responsibility in public discourse. He said that while criticism is a democratic right, it should not undermine serious investigative processes or create unnecessary constitutional controversies.
As investigations continue and reconstruction plans move forward, the Gul Plaza tragedy remains a painful reminder of the need for stronger safety enforcement and effective governance. The Sindh government maintains that it is committed to learning from the incident and taking corrective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
