Karachi factory blaze: PM orders compensation for victims

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Saturday inspected the gutted garment factory in Baldia Town from the air and announced compensation for the fire victims.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad accompanied him during the visit. Later a meeting was held at the Governor House. The officials of police department, commissioners and deputy commissioner and cabinet members of Sindh government attended the meeting.

The meeting briefed prime minister about the Baldia inferno that killed more than 250 workers. During the meeting Sindh governor requested the prime minister to announce compensation on behalf of the federal government for the victims. The prime minister was also asked to provide latest DNA testing facility and fire tenders to Sindh government. According to a spokesman for the Governor House, the prime minister announced Rs0.4 million for those who lost their lives and Rs100,000 for injured workers of the ill-fated factory.

Ashraf assured  that two snorkel machines and 15 fire tenders would be provided to boost the emergency response capacity of the city. Later, the prime minister paid a surprise visit to the Burns Ward at the Civil Hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured workers of the factory.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2012.