ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued a notice to the federal government over the Tezgam train fire incident in which 75 people died.
A single-judge bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani heard a petition seeking the removal of Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed and an independent inquiry for the October 31 tragedy.
Referring to Ahmed’s claim that the fire was a result of passengers attempting to cook food using a cylinder in the moving train, the petition sought “hearing of both parties”.
“Moreover a man who believes unilateral view is not righteous within the definition of Article 62(I) (1) of the 1973 Constitution,” stated the petition, adding that the railways minister had lost “legal, religious, ethical and constitutional” justification to remain in office after believing in one side view – that of the train officials – and officiating a response without the completion of the inquiry.
“Improvements always come with the realization of shortcomings and strong commitment to overcome these but the unilateral stance of railway minister before the inquiry result has made it impossible to fix the liability of Tezgam inferno incident on the railway officials,” reads the petition.
He stressed that no ‘meaningful’ reforms could take place in such a situation.
“The promise to pay compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased and injured would remain a political commitment as there are many examples where promises are yet to be honored,” the petition read.
