KARACHI, July 13: Political parties have expressed shock and dismay over train accident near Ghotki in which several hundred people were killed and a large number of passengers sustained injuries. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday expressed profound grief and shock over the train accident near Ghotki.

In a statement, she expressed grief over the tragedy and called for immediate and adequate compensation to the kin of those killed in the accident and free treatment of the injured.

She said it appeared that the accident was the result of improper supervision of the affairs of the railways department. She demanded a judicial probe into the accident, fixing of responsibility at all levels and punishment to those whose carelessness led to this tragedy. Some heads must roll, she said.

Ms Bhutto also appealed to the progressive women organizations to step forward and provide at least symbolic relief and succour to the victims to wake up the regime to its responsibility. She also asked the provincial PPP leadership to undertake rescue and relief work and alleviate the sufferings of victims.

She also prayed for those who lost their lives and expressed sympathies with the families of victims of the accident.

Addressing a news conference, PPP’s central information secretary Taj Haider, leader of the opposition in Sindh assembly Nisar Khuhro and others also assured the families of the victims of their support and directed the party cadre to donate blood for the injured.

The PPP leaders also alleged that the accident also represented mismanagement and apathy of the government. This was evident from the late arrival of rescue teams; they said and lauded efforts of the local people in mounting the initial attempt to rescue the trapped people.

Muttahida: MQM chief Altaf Hussain expressed shock and dismay over the accident involving three trains in Ghotki and termed it a great national tragedy and demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident.

He also demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible for the accident.

He also appealed to the people to donate blood and asked philanthropists to come forward and provide aid to the victims.

He extended condolences, on his behalf and on behalf of the party cadre, to the families of the deceased passengers and prayed for them. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Mr Hussain assured the bereaved families that his party cadre would stand by them in their moment of deep anguish and tragedy.

Ibad, Arbab shocked: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Arbab Rahim have expressed deep grief over tragic railway accident and ordered the provincial administration to immediately mobilize all possible resources for the relief and rescue of the unfortunate passengers of trains.

Soon after receipt of report of accident, the governor directed the concerned authorities to provide immediate medical aid to the injured and extend all cooperation to the heirs of dead and injured. He thanked the local population, army, police and administration for providing help and relief and appreciated their spirit of human service.

The governor and the chief minister directed the health department to ensure all possible measures for treatment and care of injured in hospitals.

Sindh ministers Irfanullah Marwat, Nadir Akmal Leghari, Adil Siddiqui Manzoor Panhwar, Dr Sohrab Sarki, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani and Dr Hameeda Khuhro and advisors Wasim Akhtar, Imamuddin Shouqin, Faqir Jadam Mangrio, Aijaz Shirazi have also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the rail accident near Ghotki.

IMTIAZ SHAIKH: Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on Wednesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Ghotki train accident.