KARACHI — In a major policy shift sparked by recent urban disasters, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced on Sunday, February 8, 2026, that the province’s fragmented fire-fighting and emergency services will be brought under a single, unified institution.
Speaking at the closing of the 21st My Karachi Exhibition, the CM admitted that the current system—split between the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Rescue 1122, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and other agencies—often suffers from coordination gaps during critical response times.
The “One Umbrella” Reform
The restructuring aims to create a central command structure to eliminate overlapping mandates and response delays.
- Unified Institution: The provincial government is planning a Unified Emergency Services Authority that will merge municipal fire brigades with Rescue 1122 and Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services (SIEHS).
- Chinese Cooperation: The CM revealed that China has offered technical cooperation, including specialized equipment and training for personnel to improve rapid-response capabilities.
- Inspection Drive: A province-wide fire safety audit is currently underway, targeting 2,368 buildings (including 562 in Karachi) to verify fire alarms, extinguishers, and emergency exits.
Gul Plaza Rehabilitation and Compensation
The announcement comes in the wake of the devastating Gul Plaza fire in January 2026, which claimed 73 lives and gutted over 1,200 shops.
- Compensation: The CM promised families of the deceased Rs10 million each, while affected shopkeepers are being provided Rs500,000 as immediate relief.
- Reconstruction: Plans are in place to rebuild Gul Plaza within two years with improved safety standards.
- Temporary Business Hubs: Locations have been identified where shopkeepers can resume business rent-free until the plaza is reconstructed.
21ویں مائی کراچی “Oasis of Harmony” انٹرنیشنل ایگزیبیشن میں شرکت باعثِ اعزاز رہی۔وقت آگیا ہے کہ “مائی کراچی” کو حقیقی معنوں میں “ہمارا کراچی” بنایا جائے — نہ میرا، نہ تیرا بلکہ صرف ہمارا کراچی۔ تمام اسٹیک ہولڈرز کو ایک صفحے پر آنا ہوگا۔کراچی چیمبر کی قیادت اور تاجر برادری شہر کی… pic.twitter.com/TsYcue9laa
— Kamran Tessori (@KamranTessoriPk) February 7, 2026
My Karachi Expo: A Sign of Resilience
The three-day exhibition at the Expo Centre concluded on Sunday, drawing millions of visitors despite recent tragedies and a provincial strike call.
| Feature | Details |
| Attendance | “Millions” of citizens visited over the weekend. |
| Global Participation | Stalls from several friendly countries showcased international products and culture. |
| Economic Impact | Discounts of 20% to 40% were offered to provide relief amid national inflation. |
| Security Status | Governor Kamran Tessori noted the high turnout as a sign of the city’s “resilience and courage.” |
The Safety Mandate
Governor Tessori also emphasized the urgent need for a fire safety crackdown in the city’s narrow markets and old quarters. He criticized the “loose and unorganized wiring” prevalent in Karachi’s commercial hubs, which remains the leading cause of short-circuit blazes.
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