ISLAMABAD:
As the burning scent of candles and lanterns filled the air, about 50 members of civil society mourned the loss of 300 lives in the twin factory fires in Lahore and Karachi in F-6 Super Market on Wednesday.
Participants blamed the government and factory owners for the loss of lives due to inadequate safety precautions mandated by law.
Asra Jameel from Plan International, referring to the loss of life, land and livelihood due to monsoon rains in southern Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh, said, “Every year, monsoon rains cause destruction but the government has yet to develop a strategy to lower the impact or reduce risk for vulnerable people.”
Cavish Development Foundation Executive Director Amir Abbas Mangi said, “Firstly, the factories were not architecturally sound, there was no safety training or fire drills and the fire brigade’s performance was inadequate, considering the magnitude of the fire.”
He added that the first step was to ensure that plans for any organisation include emergency exits.
Lok Parya CEO Jamil Asgher Bhatti said there was no compensation for human life and that provided by employers was pathetic.
He suggested that the punishment for negligence should act as a deterrent so that employers start, or amp up safety precautions at the workplace.
The event’s organisers have invited the public and the media to participate in a demonstration on September 21 in light of World Peace Day at D Chowk at 6pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2012.
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