Renowned Pakistani host and comedian Tabish Hashmi reacted strongly to the Gul Plaza incident, suggesting that the government should privatize Karachi in the same way it did with PIA.
He said it would allow the city’s diverse communities - including Pashtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, Muhajirs, and Punjabis - to take ownership and manage it effectively.
Speaking on a private TV program, Hashmi said his childhood was spent in Karachi, attending school, then Karachi University, and working various jobs. He recalled even visiting Gul Plaza for shopping after becoming a father.
He remarked that there is hardly a household in Karachi without something purchased from Gul Plaza, and over the years, many of the city’s associations have gradually disappeared.
Hashmi criticized the authorities’ response to the tragedy, saying that while people suggested he make videos about the incident, he felt that the government should already be aware of these issues. He questioned whose responsibility it was to address structural problems in the building, emphasizing that in cities worldwide, such oversight falls under local government.
Referring to the Sindh Chief Minister’s press conference, Hashmi said that although the minister claimed accountability, actions matter more than words. He pointed out that Karachi has faced numerous disasters in the past, and the ongoing negligence continues to put lives at risk. He also criticized the lack of personal accountability, noting that even compensation for victims is not paid from officials’ own pockets.
Commenting on the Karachi Mayor, Hashmi said that while the mayor accepts responsibility for mistakes, he often justifies incidents by pointing to specific causes. In contrast, he argued, in other countries, officials resign when repeated failures occur - a practice largely absent in Pakistan.
Regarding the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Hashmi questioned whether the party truly trusts its mandate despite holding 15 National Assembly seats and about 75 provincial seats from Karachi, suggesting that they should step forward confidently to represent the city.
He concluded by reiterating his proposal for privatizing Karachi, saying that if all of the city’s residents unite - Pashtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Punjabis - they could run the city efficiently. He expressed confidence that the people of Karachi could manage the city far better than the current administration.
