Karachi: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered a transparent inquiry against those responsible for the heatwave deaths in Karachi.
“The incident was unprecedented in the history of Karachi and all departments who were negligent in performing their duties must be held accountable in a transparent manner,” the prime minister said during a meeting at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House.
Expressing deep grief and sorrow over heatstroke deaths in Karachi the prime minister said, “The whole country sympathises with the affected people in this hour of grief.”
The prime minister ordered officials to complete Karachi drinking water project, K-4, within two years and also promised to release Rs10 billion to the Sindh government in this connection. The prime minister was informed that more than 65,000 patients were admitted in Karachi hospitals during this period out of which about 1,250 lost their lives.
Further, the PM ordered to form a committee comprising federal and provincial government officials to monitor federal government’s funded projects in Sindh. The committee will submit progress reports to the premier on monthly bases.
The prime minister is on a day-long visit to Karachi. The prime minister was received by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah upon his arrival at Karachi airport. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar is accompanying the premier.
According to his itinerary, the prime minister is also likely to visit heatstroke victims at different hospitals of the city as well as the relevant authorities for a briefing on the power situation.
The premier was scheduled to fly to Karachi on Monday but he was advised to get input from the military, which is now a major stakeholder in the Karachi situation, according to sources.
