Karachi Safe City Project Set for Full Operation Within Two Months
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has declared that the Karachi Safe City Project will become fully operational within the next two months, marking a significant advancement in bolstering security and law enforcement across the city. This announcement was delivered during a high-level meeting of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority, which was chaired by the chief minister himself.
High-Level Meeting and Project Progress
The meeting saw the attendance of key officials, including Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjhar, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, and other senior administrators. Director General of the Safe Cities Authority, Sarfraz Nawaz, provided a detailed briefing on the current progress of the project, outlining the steps taken to ensure its timely completion.
CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized the critical importance of the Safe City Project for maintaining law and order in Karachi, asserting that the government will not compromise on the city's security. He highlighted that following the successful implementation of the e-challan system, the first phase of the project is now being launched, which will significantly enhance surveillance capabilities.
Staff Recruitment and Budget Approval
To expedite the project, the chief minister directed the immediate recruitment of necessary staff and approved the hiring of 34 technical and administrative experts. He assured that the recruitment process would be conducted transparently through a selection committee already notified by the Services and General Administration Department, ensuring fairness and efficiency.
In addition, a revised budget of Rs200 million for the project was approved during the meeting. CM Murad Ali Shah instructed the concerned departments to complete all remaining work within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that the project will strengthen surveillance, support law enforcement agencies, and contribute to greater public safety throughout Karachi.
Relief Package for Gul Plaza Fire Incident
In a separate development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced a comprehensive relief, inquiry, and fire safety reform package in response to the tragic fire incident at Gul Plaza. He made this announcement during a press conference at CM House, where he was accompanied by business and trade leaders, including Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Muhammad Idrees Memon, Muhammad Raza, Muhammad Junaid Makda, Muhammad Tariq Yousuf, and Muhammad Tanveer Pasta.
Provincial ministers Nasir Shah and Saeed Ghani, Advisor Gianchand Israni, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, and DC South Javed Khoso were also present on the occasion. Recalling the incident, the chief minister described it as a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred the night before last when a fire broke out at Gul Plaza around 10:15 pm.
Rescue Operations and Preliminary Assessments
While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, preliminary assessments suggest a possible short circuit. Briefing the media on the rescue operation, Murad Ali Shah reported that 24 fire brigade vehicles, 10 water bowzers, and four snorkel vehicles were deployed in the firefighting efforts.
He added that approximately 100 firefighters from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and another 100 from Rescue 1122 were involved in the operation. The chief minister noted that about 10 percent of the fire was still smouldering, and access inside the building remained extremely difficult due to structural constraints, complicating rescue and assessment efforts.
This dual focus on both the Safe City Project and the Gul Plaza fire response underscores the government's commitment to enhancing security measures and addressing public safety concerns in Karachi proactively.
