Who Is Goga? Abdul Qadir Patel Links Umar Mahmood Khan to Gul Plaza Fire

In a National Assembly address on January 20, 2026, Abdul Qadir Patel identified “Goga” as a central figure behind the illegal construction and expansion of Gul Plaza.

According to Patel, “Goga” – whose real name is Umar Mahmood Khan – allegedly played a pivotal role in transforming a building initially planned as a single-story structure into a four-story complex. Patel claimed that Goga systematically divided single shops into multiple units, blocked walkways, and restricted fire exits, actions that significantly contributed to the high casualty rate during the recent fire.

Historical records and political archives link Umar Mahmood Khan, also known as Goga, to a group called “BACK” in the late 1990s. He is reported to have previously served as the chief bodyguard or “gunman” for MQM founder Altaf Hussain. While political opponents associate him with MQM’s enforcement wing, the party itself has previously distanced itself from him, asserting that he was used against the party by external agencies.

During the parliamentary session, MQM representatives, including Wasim Hussain, did not deny Goga’s existence but countered Patel’s claims by highlighting his own alleged past involvement with the management of Gul Plaza.

For Patel, “Goga” symbolizes the “dark past” of Karachi’s urban development, reflecting a period where political influence allegedly bypassed building regulations, resulting in structures that have now become deadly hazards.