- Sindh Info Minister Memon rubbishes allegations, says Sindh govt responded immediately
- JI demands judicial enquiry, Rs 2 billion compensation for victims
The fire in Karachi’s Timber Market has sparked a tirade from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) whose leaders Sunday accused the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s government in Sindh for “sleeping” while the fire raged in the metropolis.
However, the Sindh government was quick to denounce the accusations, with Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon saying that the provincial government “immediately responded to the incident”.
Expressing grief over the losses caused by the fire, MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain alleged that the provincial government had no arrangements in place to put out the fire, adding that the Sindh government merits an “award for inefficiency” as its ministers were “enjoying sweet dreams” as the fire raged.
He advised the rulers to make public the contact numbers of rescue agencies. On the occasion, he congratulated MQM members of the Sindh Assembly MPAs Muhammed Kamran and Muhammad Yaqub for “actively taking part in relief activities”.
Moreover, MQM’s Rabita Committee also censured the PPP government in Sindh for not acting swiftly in response to the fire.
“It is unfortunate to say that several hours after the fire broke out, the government of Sindh was asleep, while Karachi burned all night,” said Rabita Committee’s caretaker in-charge Qamar Mansoor, adding that the fire broke out in Lyari Town — an area that falls under PPP’s responsibility.
“Our leader, Altaf, directed us to assist with the situation at the Timber Market with the help of the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation,” he said, while addressing a press conference, adding that even female MQM workers were present at the site all night, helping the victims.
Speaking on the occasion, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said, “The fire could have spread had MQM workers not reached the scene.” He lauded the MQM chief saying, “Altaf Bhai stayed up all night to monitor the situation.”
Sattar questioned the “lack of responsibility” displayed by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon.
“Several MQM members were there, including Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Rashid Godil, but not a single representative of the Sindh government was there,” Sattar added.
The MQM leader also criticised senior members of the federal government, “We have not received any call from Finance Minister Ishaq Dar or Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.” He added that they could have at least addressed the media in lieu of the incident, adding that those affected by the fire should be compensated.
Shortly after the MQM leaders ended their press conference, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the incident and directed the Sindh government and other concerned departments to take steps to ensure such incidents are avoided at all costs.
‘SINDH MACHINERY IMMEDIATELY CHUGGED INTO ACTION’:
In the meanwhile, dispelling the accusations hurled at the Sindh government by MQM, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said, “There was absolutely no negligence on our part…the whole provincial government machinery was engaged in extinguishing the timber market fire.”
He said the fire outbreak was reported to the nearby fire station at 1:20 am and two fire tenders were immediately despatched to the site, adding that a total of 28 fire engines were engaged in extinguishing the inferno.
“Extinguishing fire that had caught cotton and wood was no easy task and it must also be of no surprise that the fire was soon declared third degree, that is, extremely intense,” reiterated the minister.
Memon said it was due to the timely action on part of the administration that no human loss was registered, despite the fact that the residential area near the market was densely populated.
“Our administrative machinery was immediately activated…the KMC administrator remained there till 3:00 am while Sindh Minister, Javed Nagori reached there at five in the morning,” he said.
The minister said that there is always room for improvement and things could have definitely been handled better had there not been the issue of “ghost employees” in Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB).
“We have managed to get rid of the menace in KMC and health department and are on our way to cleanse KWSB of this (ghost) hazard very soon,” he said.
Relying to a question, he said that the Sindh government had allocated Rs 3.25 billion for purchase of additional fire engines for Karachi.
JI DEMANDS JUDICIAL ENQUIRY:
In the meanwhile, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Naeemur Rehman and others leaders of the province have demanded judicial enquiry into the Karachi Timber Market fire incident. He also visited the market along with other JI leaders including Hussain Mahenti, Abdul Wahab, Abdul Wahid Shaikh and Mehmood Hamid. The JI leaders met the locals of the area and assured them of “full assistance”.
They termed the incident as a failure of the provincial government and local bodies departments, saying that if fire tenders had timely reached the scene, the massive devastation could have been avoided.
Rehman urged the authorities concerned to ensure speedy relief to the affected families and also demanded Rs 2 billion compensation and allocation of an alternative business place for the victims of the fire.
this sindh govt is the most inept provincial govt in the history of this country. nothing nor bigger calamity can move them, can make them wake up from their slumber!!!! children still dying from hunger and famine in thar and no one seems to do anything or even care!!!!! And the whole country was up when 136 or so kids were killed. we are a nation of hypocrites and thats what we deserves……. no one deserves to die like that be it from bullets or from extreme hunger…..
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