Four days late: PM flies into Karachi to review factory fire
Visiting the site in a helicopter, almost four days after the incident, Ashraf did the customary, an announcement of compensation for the victims' heirs.
The prime minister then presided over a meeting at the Governor House, which was attended by police officials, commissioners, deputy commissioners and cabinet members of Sindh government. The meeting briefed the prime minister about the incident in which over 250 workers had lost their lives as well as on the damaged caused by the recent floods in the province.
According to a governor house spokesperson, the prime minister announced Rs0.4 million as compensation for families of the dead, and Rs0.1 million for the injured, in the fire and floods, after Dr Ebad requested the premier to announce compensation on behalf of the federal government.
Ashraf was also requested to provide the Sindh government with the latest DNA testing facility and better fire tenders.
The prime minister assured the Sindh government that two snorkels and 15 fire tenders would be given to deal with any fire related emergency in the city.
He also announced that he would visit the flood affected areas on Sunday to review the rescue and relief operations.
During the course of the day, the prime minister also paid a surprise visit at the burns centre of Civil Hospital to inquire after the health of injured factory workers, directing the concerned authority to provide best available medical facilities to the injured for their early recovery.
Regarding the inquiry into the fire incident, Ashraf said that thorough investigations were being conducted into the fire incident to take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future and to inform the people about the facts. He directed Federal Government and all other concerned agencies to provide all the required assistance in this regard.
The PM added that President Asif Ali Zardari was taking personal interest in the rescue and relief operations relating to the factory fire and the flood, conveying the latter’s appeal to philanthropists to come forward and help the victims.
He also paid a visit to Federal Minister Dr Asim Hussain’s house and condoled him on his father’s death.
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So some one tell me with all the different generous offers of aid to families( PML-N,JI,Sindh Govt., Federal Govt,Malik Riaz etc), how much will each family get? And who will ensure the funds go to the hiers?
" Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf flew over the burnt Baldia Town factory" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If only the Fire victims also had a helicopter to lift them away from the factory.
In future Pakistani PMs would fly in a satellite over such sites.
Election-time makes people come together. General elections every year!
he must be 'busy' na...
Oh come on, he's only four days late! It's not like he's a public representative who is expected to put his duty before everything else.
Truly speaking the visit to the fire victims in Karachi by the PM makes no difference. This has become a ceremonial post and the man who matters is President Asif Zardari who has absolute powers. Have you ever seen PM taking any notice of what is happening in the country in general and Karachi in particular. Scores of citizens are being targeted by an ethnic party. Never.
I dont think so the poor people would give a damn had he not been there at all...
Pakistani media does not cover when the President visited two days back but puts it as headlines when Prime Minister visits later. This bias coverage wont affect Zardari or Pervez Ashraf but it will create frustration among anyone who does read this article.
PM actually came to condole the death of the father Federal Minister Dr. Asim Hussain but was compelled to go and visit the injured factory workers.
Ha he been serious about his visit, he would have come to Karachi on the very first day and have given directions to the concerned quarters.
What about President Zardari?
He has not come Karachi after the incident.
Look at the picture ...
All the faces of bhaata mafia paying visit to this poor victim .