Opposition calls for day of mourning over heatwave deaths

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Opposition calls for day of mourning over heatwave deaths

Irfan Haider Dawn.com Published June 23, 2015

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ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in the National Assembly on Tuesday announced to observe Friday as a day of mourning over the 400 deaths caused by the devastating heatwave in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

The decision came after a meeting was held by opposition parliamentary leaders at the Parliament House today.

Leader of Opposition in NA, Syed Khursheed Shah, said that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government had failed to fulfill its promises to provide electricity to the people during the holy month of Ramazan.

Addressing the Parliament, Shah said that the government was responsible for the deaths in Karachi due to the unavailability of electricity in the country's financial capital.

He went on to say that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should take responsibility for the recent deaths in Karachi.

Speaking in the House, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that all opposition parties were on the same page when it came to the issue of load-shedding in the country.

"Is this the level of seriousness of the government that the Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif is absent from the proceedings of the National Assembly?" he questioned.

The devastating heatwave that has entered its fourth day led to over 400 deaths in the southwestern province of Sindh.

Know more: Karachi heatwave death toll crosses 400

Saturday was the hottest day of this year’s summer in Karachi, during which the mercury had shot up to 45 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature of 48 degree Celsius was recorded in three districts of Sindh — Jacobabad, Larkana and Sukkur — on Saturday, which slid down to 41 on Sunday.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Farooq Dar, a meteorologist at the Met Department, said Tuesday (today) that the extreme weather conditions in Karachi would persist, and the temperature is expected to remain between 40 degree Celsius to 43 degree Celsius.

He also said that rainfall is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur later in the evening.

We have no control over Karachi Electric: Khawaja Asif

Addressing the Parliament, Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif said, “we have absolutely no control over Karachi Electric.”

Talking about the issue of power outages in Karachi, he said the federal government has nothing to do with the administration of KE.

He also underscored that the federal government only has a 26 per cent share in the KE, and only two members represent the government on the KE board.

The minister said the government was providing 650 megawatts (MW) of electricity to KE to mitigate the miseries of people in Karachi although it was not legally bound as the agreement with the company had already expired.

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gul

Jun 23, 2015 12:23pm

Mourn at the inability of the government to provide electricity and basic necessities of life to common people who are dying...

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AsR

Jun 23, 2015 12:36pm

Nobody dies for unavailability of electric power. These are the poor people who have to stay on roads for their livelihood who die. Our politicians, wearing coats and sitting in air conditioned rooms must understand the basics of our society.

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Raja Saifuddin

Jun 23, 2015 12:41pm

K Electric must be nationalised, because Private Capitalist is not thinking about the nation, he is only thinking about the Profit only. Capital punishment be awarded to him. K Electric is responsible for 50% of deaths.

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nac Paris

Jun 23, 2015 12:43pm

It is such a shame in Pakistan that all political parties do not spare a second to accuse the one who is responsible for services be it MQM or PPP. The accuser might be tinted but act as an angel. One should ask PPP what did they do in five years apart from looting with their former PM still being referred as R...Rental and having pending cases in the court. All we can do is pray for the souls of departed one and continue watching the show as masses themselves are responsible for electing these leaders over and over again.

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Ghaznavi

Jun 23, 2015 12:51pm

So in simple words the minister is saying that K Electric can now commit genocide by load shedding and the government can do nothing! Karachi deserves better, better than what the PPP, PMLN or the MQM has delivered. I think the nation deserves better that what this lot of politicians are capable of delivering.

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Truth will always Prevail

Jun 23, 2015 12:52pm

Shah Mehmood Quarishi should not stand next PPP corrupt leaders in any conference regardless of the issues Imran needs to watch out for shah Mehmood as he is not clean his act and he still acts like politician from PPP and PMLN Giving Javed Hashmi and Shah mehmood the position with out selection by party voters on Merit was Imran's biggest mistake By looking at the picture PTI does not look any different party then PPP. PTI needs to distance from PPP and PMLN and other corrupt parties

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Ghazanfar Sanpal

Jun 23, 2015 12:53pm

This is all you can do it.

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Keti Zilgish

Jun 23, 2015 12:54pm

This article describes Sindh as a 'south western' province but from what i can tell it is in the southeast of Pakistan.

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Jun 23, 2015 12:55pm

Day of mourning? Why don't these representatives set up Kiosks at key points within the city, including hospitals, airports, railway station and personally administer first aid to the affected victims. Pretty sure that will do much good to the public of Karachi rather than taking a day off in lieu of day of Mourning. And please, stop blaming K-Electric. The current weather phenomena is unprecedented, and should not be solely blamed on K-Electric. The so-called elected representatives are equally responsible for failing to educate the public for prevention of heat stroke and providing the necessary aid. Stop the mud-slinging and actually start to do some work.

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Akram

Jun 23, 2015 01:03pm

these days of mourning damage the economy, so there is little point in having them. Those that need to go to Janazahs should be allowed, but the opposition should not make a big issue about it I'm not sure what the government could do, the poor people who died are hardly likely to be able to afford A/c at home so what more could the state do?

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Rashid

Jun 23, 2015 01:03pm

Then step down , you are not capable at all

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Naveed

Jun 23, 2015 01:11pm

Why mourning? Why can't they all get together and build centres to shelter the most vulnerable to heat strokes, make drinking water available at critical points, publish pamphlets and train labor class how to tackle heat related problems? Doing politics on such issues is a shame. We should celebrate day of mourning against our ignorance.

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eyes open

Jun 23, 2015 01:14pm

Its absolutely appalling . a day of mourning will do nothing to prevent more deaths and suffering that will be following the states inability to forsee and plan to meet such scenarios. the people who take pride in passing the 18th amendment let me ask you; should those dying and suffering ea th that worthless piece of paper that we call our constitution. which unfortunately is used to cover their very own loot and plunder. Afssos saud Afssos. Hazrat Umer said: " in a state where criminals are treated with mercy will have their innocent slaughtered mercilessly." therefore..............

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Noman

Jun 23, 2015 01:21pm

Its so shameful for th epower minister to say that 'we have no control over K-Electric". This is despit ethe fact that 1000 lives are lost and K-ELectric has indirectly played its part in enhancing the deadly impact of heat wave. Can a national government get way by simply showing their helplessness in stopping such heartless load shedding. Shameless!!!

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Blue Saffron

Jun 23, 2015 01:28pm

To say the least. We want accountability of the death of these people.

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nac Paris

Jun 23, 2015 01:34pm

The death taking places in the hospitals is solely the responsibility of local government and administration. All gathering of opposition parties is to divert attentions of core issues facing Karachi. They should instead get together and hammer out a strategies to minimize the current situation and avoid future catastrophe. PPP/MQM please scarify some of your billions and buy fans and generators for hospital during the holly month of Ramadan to avoid further damage.

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Rameez

Jun 23, 2015 01:39pm

Look at them, have they any real concern of people who died, if they had they would have done something about it when they were in power, but unfortunately its a vicious circle of corrupt people who play with people lives

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Anjum Arshi

Jun 23, 2015 01:46pm

@M and @NAVEED. Looks like you guys still don't get it. Politicians and all other kinds of "Leaders" that we have, have no use for welfare work. To them, welfare work (anything that would even remotely benefit the masses, particularly the common, poor citizens) is way below their stature. These things are done by lowly people (like Maulana Edhi!). However, Shaikh Rashid can stand holding the podium, and Qureshi can speak along with Khursheed Shah, on how bad the government is, and how the opposition is "very sympathetic" to the plight of the poor people, blah blah blah....

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bryan

Jun 23, 2015 01:48pm

Non payment of tariff and pilferage of electricity kills any utility company. Opposition parties get a chance, forget them Mourning is such a stupid political stunt. What purpose does it serve?

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fida USA

Jun 23, 2015 01:54pm

Instead of Day of Mourning, these politician should declare that they will not use Air-conditioners till Pakistan end load-shedding.

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Waseem

Jun 23, 2015 01:56pm

It mean that Federal Govt is disowning Karachi People.Why KE has been imposed on Karachi when Federal Govt has no say on it.

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Zak

Jun 23, 2015 01:59pm

As a civil society , this is right to mourn the dead.

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M. Malik

Jun 23, 2015 02:06pm

What opportunity. As if the families who lost loved ones over the past few days are not already in mourning!!! I suggest, instead of calling for strikes, boycotts or days of mourning, come up with practical and workable solutions to ease the suffering of the people, whose votes you seek!!

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KeyPoints

Jun 23, 2015 02:06pm

Declaring day of mourning is fine. But show the nation what you get get passed in national assembly to solve this menace of 'electricity problem'. PPP dis not solve this problem during past 5 year rule, and PML-N has not solved the problem either. Political statements is not enough. Serious thinking and practical steps are needed. What budget or resources are alocated, what steps for K electric performance? Why basic necessity like electricity is in hands of a 'private company', who are the directors and owners of K electric, who they are accountable to? Why not cancel any contracts with K electric and sort out this problem thats making citizens life miserable? Enough of excuses, whether provincial Sindh government or federal government responsibility. Is it democracy or 'Jamhoori Badshahat'. Those officials who cannot solve public problem, do not deserve to satay in offices.

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Zaini

Jun 23, 2015 02:07pm

Politic on dead bodies-Its an essential of our political culture, How our corrupt political figures accusing each other, Sha sahib in spite of black day you may question to your DAN who is owning KE in fake names, all other politicians should mourn their failure to serve the nation, learn from the army and rangers , at last they are the one who step forward to help the poor people in streets, where is federal and provincial authorities and establishments? handover Karachi establishment to control to Army and see the positive results with same machinery, How? its a simple failure of leadership,

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Sajjad

Jun 23, 2015 02:08pm

Stop this melodrama, go and help. Political parties are full of human resources in the shape of party workers, use them and do something.

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usman

Jun 23, 2015 02:12pm

Look they are wearing coats. What do they know of heat sitting in ACs all day.

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KeyPoints

Jun 23, 2015 02:13pm

@Raja Saifuddin Excellent Comment. Yes, K electic should be nationalized. Basic electricity should not be contracted out to money making capitalists. Same thing for clean water supply in Karachi. Its not funny anymore that Sindh government not taking responsibility, regardless who controls K electricity. What about opposition leaders, why they do not do their job to force ruling party to solve this problem ASAP? Too many useless statements, but no concrete plans to solve electricity problem. Why?

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MAH

Jun 23, 2015 02:21pm

another opportunity to score PR points! What has electricity to do with these deaths when poverty levels and living conditions are so bad!

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Ahmed

Jun 23, 2015 02:23pm

PTI and their supporters are using these tragic deaths for political leverage. What a shame. Can 't people just unite and support each other at this difficult time? Do you people really think if the metro wasn't built suddenly there would electricity all over the country?

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Jun 23, 2015 02:31pm

@AsR Not completely true. These deaths also include people who spent the day indoors without electricity at home, so k-electric is to blame as well.

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khanm

Jun 23, 2015 02:57pm

Opposition calls for day of mourning over heatwave... You only know how deep the sea is unless you go in it.... sitting in your centrally air conditioned homes. what do you know about the human suffering... what do you know about the heat waves and misery the people have gone through ...look at the tears of bereaved families who lost their love ones..There is a sacredness in their tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable misery,pain and suffering.... WISH YOU COULD HEAR THEM AND FEEL THEM....

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Dilawar Khan

Jun 23, 2015 03:24pm

mourning for how many days? any disaster management plan is thought out??

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Azam Qadeer

Jun 23, 2015 03:24pm

it is not just govt it everyone fault. if Rich pay tax and do not steel economy could be better. if economy is better mean everything is up lets hope in future we select caring leader same time we understand our duties so things get better

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Dr. Sadaf

Jun 23, 2015 03:44pm

What will be achieved by that, just an eye wash. They are there to fight for people's rights and this is all they do, very cosmetic actions.

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kashif

Jun 23, 2015 04:06pm

What these people have done in the past is much cruel than the current govt. In Goutki when 600 people were killed in train accident Shiekh Rasheed has said on record I am not the train driver that I should resign from Railway minister. Shah Mehmood was quite when the flood hit sind and 1000 of people died. Why didn't the opposition protected on killing of innocent children in sind. They all need power only nothing else .

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Tariq, Lahore

Jun 23, 2015 04:24pm

To mourn the dead is inaction by the authorities which they do not need any encouragement!! Action needed for the plight of the poor to whom even the necessity of clean drinking water has become an unaffordalbe luxury.

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Sajjad Hussain

Jun 23, 2015 04:35pm

Here unproductive blame game starts.

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Umer Salahuddin

Jun 23, 2015 05:17pm

What a big drama by the opposition. They all have air conditioned cars and houses. Instead they should pass a resolution that there will be no use of airconditioer in the parliament till energy crises is resolved but they did not but political point scoring.

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Aurangzeb

Jun 23, 2015 05:45pm

Khawaja Asif people are dying and you telling us, you have no control over Karachi Electric ...then you must Quit!

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Dr. Sadaf

Jun 23, 2015 06:27pm

@Ahmed , no of course not but putting your priorities in an orderly manner counts a lot and also tells a lot how the govt feels about the common people, basics are not provided and we are telling them to eat pastries if bread is not to be found.

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Whiskey Khan

Jun 23, 2015 06:47pm

Such irrelevant and Useless gestures to the crises shows the inability and uselessness of the political institution, the death should never been this high if the infrastructure were in place.

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Ebrahim

Jun 23, 2015 06:54pm

Khursheed Shah should demand removal of Cheif Minister Sindh if he is sincere.

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Aakash

Jun 23, 2015 07:24pm

It is not the first time when post tragedy Govt officials announce such mourning's but it is usual. The main measures which are supposed to be taken are not yet even realized by us (People of Pakistan). We still are being living in illusion and in dilemma that conditions will going to be improved very soon by relying on such irresponsible and insane officials. Lets do boycott such politicians, Pia airline and Pro Govt entities which are totally relying on Public to realize them that we can make a difference if we decide to stand unite against those who are framing Pakistan in a poor state rather than prosperous state then they will understand the power of Patriotic Pakistani Nation.

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From USA, S.A.Hyder, Ph.D.

Jun 23, 2015 08:20pm

@Ghaznavi : Money talks and in Pakistan it talks very loudly ! Karachiites should stop paying any taxes to the Federal and Provincial Governments. This would turn the tables. Once the government starts losing more than half its revenue it will act, and act quickly.

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Baba Ladla

Jun 23, 2015 08:25pm

Extremely shameful, instead of going into full gear to offer relief they are doing lip service of invaluable act like mourning. This sham democratic forces are real enemy of democracy.

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Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি

Jun 23, 2015 08:27pm

I would have thought all the politicians including Mr. Altaf Hussain & co. will come to Karachi and share the grief of the people of sind. But Pakistan creates selfish and greedy politicians - forget about the old like Mr. Z Bhutto and his daughter and son in law - look at his foreign raised and educated son of Ms B Bhutto, the chairman of PPP, even he doesn't care. And what about Mr. Imran and other members of MQM - where are they?

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Roxana R.

Jun 23, 2015 08:35pm

@M Exactly. Put shoes to the ground and go out and help people. Get the imams to alert people that they are permitted to break fast if needed in these circumstances.

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aftab

Jun 23, 2015 09:04pm

if government cannot provide the basic needs to its public,especially in hot weather the electricity outages shows the in competence of government.then they should have step down from government. just read the story of north korea boat incident .pm step down.

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Khalid

Jun 23, 2015 09:28pm

While the leaders of the Sindh government were celebrating the birthday of their late leader in Larkana, people all over Sindh were dying of the heat, hunger, lack of electricity, lack of water. What party does the opposition leader belong to?. PPP?

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Jun 23, 2015 09:55pm

SMQ with old-mates...transformation of status-quo is going on.

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Syed Ganga Din

Jun 23, 2015 10:32pm

A day of mourning? I don't see them mourning. What have they done for the families of these people or what have then to prevent this tragedy?

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Tayyab

Jun 24, 2015 12:29am

mourning will not going to help anyone..instead of doing something these useless people are only playing with words.now for the action we will have to call our last hope That is Pakistan army

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Fazal Karim

Jun 24, 2015 01:55am

Centre is blaming province and province is blaming Karachi Electric. It is on record that electricity position in Karachi has improved a lot since privatization of KESC. If the government and government departments had paid their dues amounting to billions of rupees power supply position would have been different in Karachi. Real reason for very large number of deaths is that the people were fasting in the holy month of Ramzan. Weak and old who were fasting were vulnerable to the effect of heat wave. I think it was the duty of our Ulmas, provincial government and political parties to have advised people of weak health not to observe fast and carry out the obligation after Ramzan. In Tunisia and Moroca in such circumstances government advised people to postpone fasting. The tragedy also reflects poor condition of our hospitals. We should be realistic.

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CYRUS

Jun 24, 2015 03:09am

Another Day of Moaning.

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Farooq shaikh

Jun 24, 2015 03:54am

Instead day of mourning have a day of forgiveness from God, no body can fight against God's plan. Country like united states can not fight against nature, you guys can blame any one you guys want, every body in pakistan look your self in the mirror how good you guys are, you guys are good in killing people, bribing, cheating, dishonest to country and stealing government money, dirty water running every where in the streets, what kind of people are you guys can not keep your streets clean garbage all over the place, ask God to forgive you guys, be honest to your country, honest to your job, honest to your family do good things for home, for your streets for city for your country.

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Farooq shaikh

Jun 24, 2015 04:50am

Instead mourning have day of forgiveness

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