PM grills Sindh IGP

With slow response from the police for rescuing Abbas Town blasts victims, Prime Minister (PM) Raja Pervez Ashraf has reportedly grilled the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) for his failure to reach the blast site in time.
The premier had landed at Karachi on a day-long visit of the city, besides attending a scheduled reception of engagement of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah’s coordinator/advisor Sharmila Farooqui at the Mohatta Palace. The venue of the reception was already declared a high alert area due to VVIP movement by the law enforcers and a heavy contingent of police force was deputed there for the high-profile engagement reception.
Sources said that heavy police force from all the police zones of the city were instructed to perform VVIP duty at the Mohatta Palace. Besides commissioner and deputy commissioners were present on the reception to welcome the high profile personalities.
However, when the twin blasts rocked Abbas Town, located on Abul Hassan Isphani Road, the media reported that the police force was discharging VIP duty at Mohatta Palace and no law enforcement agencies were present at the scene of the blasts even after the passage of several hours.
Soon after the blasts, the PM, while cancelling all his scheduled meetings, chaired a high level meeting at the CM House that was attended by CM Qaim, federal and provincial ministers. The premier and the cabinet members condemned the slow response of the police force in the case of Abbas Town blasts. Later, a strict order for the IGP was issued, asking him to ensure availability of senior police officials and the IGP himself to monitor the overall rescue operation.
Separately, the Sindh government has announced official mourning to mourn the deaths of Abbas Town blasts victims. An official at the CM House said that national flags would remain at half mast.
Meanwhile, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad announced to keep their business shut to mourn the death of Abbas Town blast victims, while the Karachi Transport Ittehad also announced to keep public transport off the roads on Monday. In addition, the All Karachi Private Schools Association also announced to keep their private schools closed to mourn the deaths of Abbas town blasts victims.