Rains in Karachi: Sindh minister hints at legal action against KE over deaths by electrocution
July 31, 2019
KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has hinted that the provincial government might take legal action against electricity distribution company K-Electric for the recent deaths from electrocution in Karachi during torrential rains.
At least 19 people have been electrocuted to death in Karachi in the past three days as rainwater inundated several parts of the densely populated metropolis following a two-day spell of torrential rain.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani held the federal and local governments responsible for the chaos that had arisen in the city following torrential rains.
"As far as action against K-Electric is concerned, the Sindh government has no such mechanism (to act against it), and the federal government should do what it can," Ghani said, addressing a press conference in Karachi.
"But as far as the loss of lives (due to electrocution) is concerned, definitely on that—but I won’t go into detail on this right now—the provincial government will take action on this according to the law. We will take whatever action that we can take," he said, hinting towards the likelihood of legal action against the electricity provider.
Ghani said that if every task is to be done by the provincial government, then the local government should be dissolved. "We will do it," said the agitated minister, adding that the water could not be pumped out of the inundated areas within a day.
Ghani said that Yusuf Goth, Saadi Town, Raees Amrohi Town, and other localities were situated on the pathways of floodwater. He said that the accumulated water due to urban flooding was yet to be suctioned out.
Several highways are not completely blocked due to rain, Saeed Ghani said, adding that the Green Line route has been cleared.
"The responsibility to clear 38 big nullahs of the city falls on the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and 200 smaller nullahs fall under the jurisdiction of the District Municipal Corporation," said the provincial minister.
Senator Murtaza Wahab also addressed media, saying that Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar is always complaining about lack of authority.
"Why doesn’t the mayor work utilising the rights already given to him?" said the Senator.
