Haleem blames HESCO for PMT blast

Opposition leader's convoy 'attacked by stones, intimidated by aerial firing'

HYDERABAD:

Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh has held the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) responsible for the deaths of 10 persons in the July 22 explosion in a pole mounted transformer in Hyderabad.

Visiting the victims' families on Sunday some 10 days after the 200KV PMT's explosion and spilling of hot oil, which also left around a dozen people injured, Haleem assured that he will get them justice by ensuring punishment to those responsible.

 "The HESCO's officials [involved in the incident] should be given exemplary punishment so that if any other transformer begins to leak oil, the company's CEO and even the minister should become sleepless." He acknowledged that an obsolete, rotten, putrid and corrupt system of management prevailed in HESCO.

"I can't accept it as an accident. Such a rotten system exists in HESCO. It's a criminal act on part of the company and should be taken in that way."

He said he knew that corruption and bad practices existed in HESCO. Sheikh expressed sadness that already 10 invaluable lives have been lost in the incident while nine other persons are under medical treatment in critical condition.

He reiterated that those culpable will be punished and that a high level inquiry is already underway over the July 22 blast.

The Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf vice president said that he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan next week and during the meeting he will urge the PM to ensure that the HESCO officials responsible for the blast receive due punishment.

 He added that the issue of adequate compensation and providing jobs to the persons in the affected families will also be raised.

According to Haleem, the federal budget has allocated Rs5 billion for rehabilitation projects in HESCO and Rs6.25 billion for the Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO).

Haleem criticised the Hyderabad Police for registering the FIR of the July 22 incident in haste and without even bothering to record statements of the victims and their families.

"I wish Hyderabad Police were so quick against the drug peddlers and other criminals as well." 'PPP attacked my convoy' Meanwhile, the opposition leader alleged that he was attacked in Benazirabad district on Sunday by men who pelted stones on the vehicles, fired aerial gunshots and chanted slogans against the PTI leadership as well.

Haleem said they were on their way to the residence of local PTI leader, Inayat Rind, when they came under attack at Zardari Chowk. He alleged that the men belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) perpetrated the cowardly attack.

 He complained that the Benazirabad SSP did not attend his call when tried to register a complaint. "The PPP can't frighten me through such cowardly attacks," he said, vowing that he will keep exposing the corruption of the PPP-led Sindh government.

The names, Asad Zardari and Imran Zardari, have surfaced for reportedly leading the attack. The incident's FIR has not been lodged so far.

 Delays in motorway project

Separately, Haleem complained that the district administration of Jamshoro district is causing delays in the land acquisition for the 306-kilometre HyderabadSukkur Motorway.

Speaking to the media after receiving a briefing from the officials of National Highway Authority in Jamshoro district, he said that 7,800 acres of land was supposed to be acquired in six districts of Sindh for the project.

He added that acquisition has been completed in five districts and land for only a 14-km stretch in Jamshoro is yet to be acquired.

According to him, the motorway being built at the cost of Rs200 billion will be completed in 30 months by 2023. "Development can only be brought about by improving the means of road communication," he underlined.