Rimpa Plaza Declared Structurally Unsafe After Gul Plaza Fire, Authorities Urge Caution

The building next to the fire-devastated Gul Plaza, Rimpa Plaza, has been officially declared structurally unsafe after inspections revealed severe damage to its columns.

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) confirmed that the intense third-degree fire at Gul Plaza caused significant stress on Rimpa Plaza, with its pillars badly affected, raising serious safety concerns for occupants.

Authorities have issued formal notices to Rimpa Plaza’s management and shop owners, banning the use of any hazardous sections until further evaluation. The SBCA warned that any unauthorized entry or activity in the compromised areas would result in strict action.

The tragic fire at Gul Plaza on Saturday night claimed 28 lives, while 74 people have been confirmed missing and a total of 81 reported missing. Rescue teams continue operations to secure surrounding structures, including Rimpa Plaza, to prevent further incidents. Safety officials have urged residents and shopkeepers to strictly follow SBCA directives and avoid entering unsafe sections.

Lawmakers have highlighted the urgent need for stronger local governance systems to prevent similar disasters. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the fire exposed serious gaps in fire safety and emergency response, emphasizing that every province must have robust local governance to respond effectively.

“People need a system at the grassroots level where their concerns can be addressed immediately,” Asif said. He criticized the 18th Amendment, calling it a “hoax,” noting that while powers were transferred to provincial governments, local bodies remained weak. “There was political consensus to empower local governments, but political wrangling stalled reforms,” he added, recalling that previous regimes had introduced strong local bodies, but civilian governments often avoided giving real power to the grassroots.