The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday disposed of a petition seeking precautionary measures to counter predicted heatwave which is likely to hit in May or June this year after the government assured that adequate measures would be taken throughout the province.
The SHC bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, heard the petition filed by renowned singer Shezad Roy and other civil rights campaigners seeking precautionary measures from the provincial government ahead of predicted heatwave and action against the responsible for failing to ensure supply of water and electricity during the days of heatwave last year.
On Friday’s hearing, the petitioner’s counsel stated that he has gone through the proposals made by Sindh government to save the people of Karachi from heatwave. “Since the heatwave is likely to hit the entire province, the government should be directed to take the measures throughout the province,” he requested the court.
Additional Attorney General Ghulam Mustafa Mahesar stated that the government would ensure such precautionary measures throughout the province and compliance report would be submitted to the court. After the assurance of government, the court disposed of the petition.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier on 13th April the government had informed the court regarding measures adopted by it to counter heatwave in the metropolis. According to Heatwave Emergency Plan 2016 for Karachi prepared by districts administrations and health department Sindh, 171 first response centers in all six districts of the metropolitan would be established. The government would arrange awareness programmes through walks, pamphlets and banners in all public gathering places like parks, roundabouts and lectures in educational institutions. The government has also decided to arrange awareness campaign through electronic and print media. The proposal said that 688 ambulances would be on stand-by position in case of any emergency all over the city.
