Comedian and actor Tabish Hashmi has sparked an important conversation about Karachi’s future, calling for greater citizen involvement and accountability following the tragic Gul Plaza fire that claimed 61 lives.

Speaking on a Geo talk show, Report Card, Tabish Hashmi expressed deep frustration over what he described as long-standing mismanagement and neglect of the city.

Hashmi suggested that Karachi should be run as a collective responsibility by its residents rather than remaining under ineffective governance.

Drawing a comparison with the privatisation of struggling state institutions, he said that if citizens were entrusted with the city’s management, they would strive to protect it with greater care and ownership.

“Even if we tried, we couldn’t do worse than this,” he remarked, reflecting the pain and anger felt by many Karachiites.

Highlighting the emotional significance of Gul Plaza, Hashmi noted that it was not just a building, but a place deeply woven into the lives of countless families across the city.

“There is hardly a home in Karachi that doesn’t have something from Gul Plaza,” he said, mourning the loss of both lives and memories.

He stressed that accountability should not be limited to statements or inquiries after tragedies occur.

Instead, he called for meaningful consequences and preventive measures, pointing out that repeated incidents fires, unsafe buildings, and deadly road accidents reflect systemic failures that could have been avoided.

At the same time, Hashmi urged citizens to reflect on their own responsibilities as well.

He called for an end to practices that worsen the city’s fragility, such as illegal constructions, encroachments on stormwater drains, and electricity theft. “Only when we do our part can we truly demand accountability,” he said.

RJ and host Anoushey Ashraf echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Karachi belongs to everyone who calls it home, regardless of background.

She urged residents to actively care for the city instead of remaining passive observers, stating that real change requires unity, responsibility, and compassion.

As voices from across society continue to speak out, the tragedy has reignited a larger question: how many more lives must be lost before lasting, people-centered action is taken to protect Karachi and its residents?