KARACHI: The grand opening of the highly-anticipated Dream Bazaar Mall in Karachi turned into a scene of chaos and destruction as an unruly mob ransacked the venue, leaving behind a trail of vandalism and looting. The mall, located in the Gulistan-e-Johar area, was developed by a Pakistani businessman living abroad and had been heavily promoted on social media, drawing significant attention and excitement.
On its opening day, September 2, 2024, Dream Bazaar offered special discounts to attract customers, leading to an overwhelming crowd gathering at the mall's entrance. Shortly after the doors opened at 3:00 PM, the situation spiraled out of control. Videos circulating on social media captured the shocking scenes as hundreds of people stormed into the mall, damaging property and looting stores.
The mob forcefully entered the premises, ignoring the staff's desperate attempts to maintain order. Shoppers were seen frantically grabbing whatever they could, stuffing items into bags or carrying them away in their arms. Despite the growing chaos, eyewitnesses reported that there was a noticeable absence of police, leaving the situation unchecked.
The incident has raised concerns about crowd management and security at such large-scale events, especially in a city like Karachi, where such incidents can escalate quickly. The aftermath has left the mall's management and the business community in shock, as what was supposed to be a celebratory event turned into a devastating loss.