Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday rejected the notion that government officials and police were busy at a dinner rather than tending to victims of the twin bombings in Abbas Town on March 3, 2013, Express News reported.
Shah said that told the Sindh Assembly on Thursday that the blast took place at 7pm while Sharmila Farooqui’s event was scheduled for 9pm.
“We reached the blast site 40 minutes after the incident.”
The minister also told the assembly that the government is taking the incident seriously and an investigation is being carried out. “Some people have admitted to it as well, but we won’t reveal their names now because then they will be released tomorrow,” he added.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Farooqi received widespread public criticism after it was reported that large contingents of police personnel in the city were deployed at her engagement-related celebrations at the time of the blast. Media reports and the public had questioned why security forces were not present hours after twin blasts occurred.
Farooqi had termed the accusations “ridiculous”.
COMMENTS (33)
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Looking at this guy's statements and his moustache, I can't help humming The Dad's Army title song.........................Who do you think you're kidding Mr Hitler?
@stranger they were attending the wedding and did not came on site so they should accept the facts rather then telling lies on our faces. People did the part of the authorities as well so you should stop defending the culprits and think out of box.
40 min after 7pm ?? he did`nt mention the date :P
I dont understand the reasons for these killings on daily / hourly basis. Why? May the soul of the dead rest in peace
Its like hurting people who have already lost their loved ones to say " we were not sleeping"
Mr CM, you and your comrades could learn a thing or two here, don’t you think?
For me, the biggest silver lining is this: with each consecutive catastrophe, we become braver and more vocal and fearless.
We no longer speak in hushed tones. We are saying no to silence as a nation.
I am reading it, still shaken by the events of the Abbas Town Blasts. The sky on this Tuesday morning is tinted a strange reddish strain. Maybe it’s just in the minds of traumatised Karachiites who cannot get over the blood spilled in Abbas Town – blood that has still not dried.
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/16342/where-are-you-mister-prime-minister-when-your-people-need-you/
Sharmila farooqi should not be blamed for this event. Yes its annoying that most of our police force is being used for the protection of these polititions but she is not to be blamed her. As for reaching in 40 minutes thats nothing to be proud of and its just plain studpid for him to justify himself like that. After such a blast police and other emergency tenders should have reached within 5 minutes.
@blaizebob: I meant why grudge the ministers for attending a wedding .Should they have said No- I wont come to your wedding . They went there as invitees . When they heard this news, they came rushing back. I dont think thousands and thousands of police officers were stationed only for this wedding . I mean the ministers are not THE ONLY culprits in this case.
So, I guess Abbas Town comes under the Ferozabad Thana. Else than that, there is no good explanation for a 40-minute drive. Pray tell how come Edhi ambulances get there in a matter of minutes.
Hahaha 40?? wow CM with that protocol you could be there in 15 MAXX!
May you people never ever sit in government again....Ameen
@Babablacksheep: He was on official mourning for 5 days… for bomb blast???? No… for Ms. Faruqi’s engagement !!!
Why were you even bothered to show your faces then? huh!
"“We reached the blast site 40 minutes after the incident.” That's the time it takes for a normal person to drive 25 miles. That's confirmation that you were off doing something else, wedding or not. You're supposed to have people ready to respond around a specific area 24/7 for accurate and fast responses. You're meant to save people. Not count the dead and injured. I say "normal" because the people who respond to such incidents are usually going way faster. That implies you were even further away.
Oh there he is!!!
@Stranger: Oh and try booking the Mohatta palace for a wedding and let us know how that goes.
@Stranger: That's a strange comment stranger... I thought it was the govt.'s job to govern.
Mr. CIM, if you were not attending Sharmila's dinner, why don't you tell us where were you?
Ohh the CM finally comes out of his hibernation. 40 minutes? I was working as a volunteer and the first police mobile came after 1hour 30mins and the rangers truck came after 2 hours. No government official came to help the unfortunate residents of Abbas Town.
40 minutes ? 60 seconds made the difference there !
40 minutes? that was quite accurate..lol
The whole media print and T.V. is giving the incident of Abbas Town as sectarian clashes. This was not sectarian attack against Shia community because so many sunni muslims have also lost their lives and properties.
The exact place of the bomb blast is not Abbas Town it is scheme - 33 and in between crossing road of Rabia Flowers and Iqra City project.
Cannot say about other ministers, but we know Mr. CM how can you be at Ms. Faruqi’s engagement? Really sad for you!!!
who told HIM after 5 days?
Why blame the ministers for attending some wedding . How are they and only they to be blamed. People simply need soemthing to accuse at such times. We cant blame the general public for accusing these ministers because they were and are incensed / frustrated. so both parties are correct.
Oh right.. I'm sure the police were on regular duties till 8:55pm cause the event hadn't started
“We reached the blast site 40 minutes after the incident.”
Surely this must be a new record set by the CM or authorities, if he is to be believed?
Oh thanks for clarifying, I was actually dying for this :/
“We reached the blast site 40 minutes after the incident.”
Wow and you were wearing Mr. India's bracelet? Because NO ONE SAW YOU .. Fact is that no one from the so called DEMOCRATIC GOVT. was bothered to visit the blast site
Mr Shah can you give us the name of Sindh Govt Officials who were present at the Site after 40 mins
40 minutes? Wow that's quick! you should have taken your time!