Karachi Chief Fire Officer Humayun Ahmed said that a firefighter was martyred during rescue operations at Gul Plaza in Saddar, noting that the department continues to face criticism despite the sacrifice. Speaking to the media, he stressed that the fire department is non-political and operates under severe resource shortages, including a lack of fire stations, vehicles, and manpower. Ahmed said Karachi needs hundreds of fire tenders, but currently runs 28 fire stations with funding for only 21, limiting its capacity to respond effectively. He added that rescue and clearance work at Gul Plaza may take up to 15 days, as fires can reignite during debris removal, making the operation more complex and time-consuming.