Shifting the blame: K-Electric is exploiting the situation, says CM
Addressing the assembly, Shah says utility is only providing lip service as the city suffers
Addressing the assembly, Shah says utility is only providing lip service as the city suffers. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
With the death toll of the deadly heatwave that has enveloped Karachi rising ever higher, Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah claimed that K-Electric was exploiting the situation.
Addressing the Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday, Shah expressed grief over the deaths in the metropolis. "There is no such precedent of heatstroke in the history of Karachi," he said. "I have spoken to the owner and the chief executive officer of the power utility, but it seems they are exploiting the situation, merely giving lip service to this serious issue."
The chief minister pointed out that the provincial government had no control over the K-Electric, which was privatised by the then federal government under an agreement that is also being violated. "The federal government still has three members on the board of directors of the power utility and it is the controlling authority," he added.
He said that he had asked the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the provincial disaster management authority to establish heatstroke relief centres across the city, providing assistance to those affected by the soaring temperatures. Detailing measures being taken by the government, he asserted that all the commissioners in Sindh had been told to impose Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedures, ensuring that all shops and markets in cities are closed by 9pm. "During the night, alternating street lights will be switched on, while all provincial administration departments and organisations have been directed to keep the air conditioners in their offices switched off till 11am."
Shah said that he had also directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to ensure the free supply of 3,000 water tankers to the areas of the city facing a water shortage during the month of Ramazan, adding that the funds for this had already been released.
The leader of the opposition, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, asked the government to make arrangements to provide facilities to deal with heatstroke at public hospitals. "An emergency centre must be established at the CM House," he urged, adding that the government's decision to shut down shops and markets by 9pm should only be a short-term measure until the weather improved.
In solidarity with the victims of the heatwave, the Sindh Assembly adjourned proceedings on the suggestion of parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro. The provincial government also announced a day of mourning in the province, as government offices and institution, with the exception of hospitals and rescue centres, remained closed.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2015.
With the death toll of the deadly heatwave that has enveloped Karachi rising ever higher, Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah claimed that K-Electric was exploiting the situation.
Addressing the Sindh Assembly session on Tuesday, Shah expressed grief over the deaths in the metropolis. "There is no such precedent of heatstroke in the history of Karachi," he said. "I have spoken to the owner and the chief executive officer of the power utility, but it seems they are exploiting the situation, merely giving lip service to this serious issue."
The chief minister pointed out that the provincial government had no control over the K-Electric, which was privatised by the then federal government under an agreement that is also being violated. "The federal government still has three members on the board of directors of the power utility and it is the controlling authority," he added.
He said that he had asked the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the provincial disaster management authority to establish heatstroke relief centres across the city, providing assistance to those affected by the soaring temperatures. Detailing measures being taken by the government, he asserted that all the commissioners in Sindh had been told to impose Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedures, ensuring that all shops and markets in cities are closed by 9pm. "During the night, alternating street lights will be switched on, while all provincial administration departments and organisations have been directed to keep the air conditioners in their offices switched off till 11am."
Shah said that he had also directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to ensure the free supply of 3,000 water tankers to the areas of the city facing a water shortage during the month of Ramazan, adding that the funds for this had already been released.
The leader of the opposition, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, asked the government to make arrangements to provide facilities to deal with heatstroke at public hospitals. "An emergency centre must be established at the CM House," he urged, adding that the government's decision to shut down shops and markets by 9pm should only be a short-term measure until the weather improved.
In solidarity with the victims of the heatwave, the Sindh Assembly adjourned proceedings on the suggestion of parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro. The provincial government also announced a day of mourning in the province, as government offices and institution, with the exception of hospitals and rescue centres, remained closed.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2015.