Sindh ministers fault PTI govt

CM orders relief work operation; emergency declared in Sukkur, Hyderabad hospitals

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressing profound grief over the loss of precious lives in train accident at Gunya Mor near Reti Station of Ghotki district, directed Sukkur commissioner to mobilise the district administration and police to carry out relief works on the spot.

Shah directed the commissioner to arrange heavy machinery to evacuate the stuck passengers in the damaged bogies. "Priority should be to save lives of the people," he said and directed the commissioner to declare an emergency in all the nearby hospitals in Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur and start shifting the injured.

The CM also directed the commissioner to arrange temporary accommodation and food for the passengers till the train track was cleared. "Necessary arrangements for shifting of dead bodies to their homes should also be made," he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Imran Ismail said: "I am very saddened to know about the Ghotki train incident." Expressing condolence with the families of the train accident victims, he said there is need to conduct a high-level investigation of the incident.

Ghani demands resignation

Sindh minister for Labour and Education Saeed Ghani expressing grief over the loss of lives said train accidents have become a norm during the tenure of the PTI federal government. In his condolence message, the provincial minister said train accidents had become a norm during the tenure of the PTI federal government. "Imran Khan, who used to demand resignations after train accidents, should step down immediately, along with his incompetent and inept cabinet," said the provincial minister.

The minister demanded a complete, comprehensive and transparent inquiry into this alleged negligence. Ghani said the PPP stood in solidarity with the grieving family members. The minister also prayed for the deceased and early recovery of the injured.

Haleem Adil Sheikh seeks inquiry

Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh also condemned the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He demanded an inquiry into the accident.

He suspected negligence or sabotage caused the incident and demanded both aspects be brought to the fore. "I will request the prime minister to take an action if there is a mistake on the part of the railways. No one should be forgiven."

'Criminal negligence'

Also, Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal said several train incidents have been reported during PTI's rule and had claimed several lives which were criminal negligence.

"These deaths cannot be accepted as tragic incidents," he said. He put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the federal government and equated the fatal incidents to "brutal murders". The government hasn't maintained the railway tracks nor the trains.

Rangers DG review relief work

Pakistan Rangers Sindh Director General (DG) Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry visited the site of a train accident near Daharki.

The DG Rangers expressed his sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the accident and expressed sympathies with bereaved families of victims. On the occasion, the DG Rangers was briefed about the relief operation by the Sector Commander of the area. He appreciated the services of teams including Rangers that participated in rescue operation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2021.