President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed his condolences to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan following the tragic fire at Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, which claimed dozens of lives and left many injured.

In his message, the President expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Prime Minister, the government, and the people of Pakistan, on behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives.

He also conveyed solidarity with the bereaved families during this period of profound grief and offered prayers for the swift recovery of those injured and the successful completion of ongoing recovery efforts.

According to the authorities, a massive fire broke out on 17 January 2026 at Gul Plaza, claiming at least 28 lives, leaving dozens missing. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams using heavy machinery to clear debris and search for missing persons.