September 19, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 11, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Sept 18: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and the district government on Wednesday constituted separate committees to probe the electrocution of nine labourers, working at a commercial building here on Tuesday.

Brig Wasim Zafar, the IESCO chief executive, while talking to newsmen, said an inquiry had been initiated on the instruction of Wapda chairman, Lt-Gen Zulfiqar Ali Khan (retired). The general manager (Operations) of Wapda has been appointed the inquiry officer, he added. He said IESCO was also investigating the issue on its own.

The IESCO boss ruled out any lapse on the part of his company regarding the tragedy.

“Action would be initiated against the contractor in case he is held responsible for the incident,” he added.

Giving details, Brig Zafar said, work was under progress at the building when one of the wires supporting the signboard of a National Assembly candidate broke and fell down causing hindrance to the work. One of the labourers, he said, threw the wire away which fell on a high tension wire, after which current passed through the whole building resulting in the electrocution of nine labourers.