July 01, 2015
News
PM seeks accountability for heavy death toll in Karachi
Sindh CM complains to PM about K-Electric
INPKARACHI – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting on recent intense heat wave in Karachi and the resulting casualties, at the Chief Minister’s House here on Wednesday.
The prime minister stressed that all departments who shirked their responsibilities adding to public misery should be held accountable in a transparent manner. He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the incident. “Whole country sympathizes with the affected people in this hour of grief,” he said.
Nawaz said this was unprecedented in the history of Pakistan and lessons should be learnt from such calamities and measures be taken to avoid their recurrence in future. He appreciated the role played by private welfare associations in providing relief to the people.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah thanked the prime minister for taking personal interest in matters of the province, particularly Karachi. He briefed the prime minister on the crisis that hit the metropolitan city on the 19th of last month, causing hundreds of casualties and the relief and remedial measures taken by the provincial government in its aftermath.
The prime minister was informed that more than 65000 patients reported in Karachi hospitals during this period out of which about 1250 lost their lives. Most of those who lost their lives were shelter less people, including beggars, whose dehydration was aggravated due to fasting in extreme weather.
The Sindh chief secretary briefed the prime minister on the Greater Karachi Bulk water supply scheme under which 260 MGD water would be brought from Kinjhar lake to Karachi, to meet present and future needs of Karachi. The project would be completed in three phases. The prime minister directed that a monitoring committee comprising federal and provincial government officials be set up to ensure efficiency and transparency in its execution in a speedy manner.
He said that the federal government would share the project cost with the provincial government. The meeting was also briefed on 17.8-km Green Line bus rapid transit system, having a capacity of 300,000 passenger trips per day, which is being funded by the federal government. Rs. 8 billion has already been released by the federal government for the project. Green Line would integrate with Karachi's master transportation plan.
Other participants of the meeting included Sindh Governor Dr Eshratul Ibad Khan; Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan; Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan; Minister for Information Pervaiz Rasheed; Minister for SAFRON Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch; MOS for Health Ms Saira Afzal Tarar; NDMA chairman along with members of the Sindh Cabinet and senior federal and provincial government officials.
Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday complained to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about K-Electric during their one-on-one meeting. Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah informed the prime minister that there was load shedding for 18-20 hours in Sindh. The prime minister was also made aware of the Sindh government’s reservation with the centre.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk