By Sardar Khan Niazi

The horrific collapse of Gul Plaza, an iconic commercial building in Saddar Karachi, shook Pakistan. The tragedy left several dead, dozens injured, and countless families devastated. The incident exposed glaring weaknesses in building safety standards, urban planning, and governance. However, it also presents an opportunity for reflection and reform. In the aftermath, we must ask ourselves what can we learn from the Gul Plaza tragedy, and how can we prevent future disasters? The first and most obvious lesson from the collapse of Gul Plaza is the systemic neglect of building safety in Karachi. The building constructed decades ago, had not undergone proper safety assessments, renovations, or maintenance for years. Reports suggest the building was not compliant with modern engineering standards. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for a robust regulatory framework for building inspections, safety checks, and certification processes. In many of Pakistan’s urban centers, buildings are constructed with little regard for long-term structural integrity. Developers often cut corners to maximize profits, while authorities look the other way. While the lack of adherence to safety codes might seem like an issue of private negligence, it has become a societal failure–a failure to prioritize human life over commercial interests. One of the most striking aspects of the Gul Plaza tragedy was the complete lack of accountability from those responsible for the building’s construction, maintenance, and inspection. As is often the case in incidents of this nature, authorities were quick to point fingers, but the individuals and organizations involved in the building’s creation and oversight remain largely unpunished. This absence of accountability fosters a culture of impunity that allows unsafe buildings to proliferate and puts countless lives at risk. This tragedy also highlights the pressing need for a long-term vision of urban development—one that accounts for population growth, environmental sustainability, and the social welfare of citizens. The ad-hoc construction of buildings without any coherent urban planning strategy will only exacerbate the risks associated with overcrowding. Karachi cannot continue to be a city where development is driven by short-term gains at the expense of safety and stability. We need to invest in the training and development of professionals in the construction and architectural sectors. Engineers, architects, and contractors should be held to high standards, and continuous professional development should be mandated. This would ensure that the people responsible for building the structures we inhabit are up to date with the latest safety standards and technologies. In the aftermath of such a tragedy, there is a tendency to place blame on one group or another: the builders, the government, or the regulatory authorities. While these parties certainly bear significant responsibility, it is important to remember that the failure to prevent tragedies like Gul Plaza’s collapse is a collective one. The public also plays a role by either turning a blind eye to unsafe construction or failing to demand accountability from those in power. In this moment of grief, Karachi and Pakistan must recognize that ensuring safety in our built environment is not just the job of the authorities or construction professionals. It is a responsibility shared by all of us. Citizens must hold local governments accountable, demand transparent planning and regulation, and become advocates for the safety of their communities. We must prioritize the safety of our buildings, our cities, and ultimately, our people. This requires a concerted effort from government agencies, developers, civil society, and the public. The path forward involves not only ensuring that such incidents never occur again, but also fostering a culture of accountability, urban planning, and public responsibility. Only through these measures can we begin to rebuild trust in our cities and create safer, more sustainable environments for future generations.