KARACHI, Aug 20: Jamaat-i-Islami has demanded setting up of a high-level inquiry commission, headed by a Supreme Court judge, to investigate criminal negligence by the administration that had led to the grounding of the Greek oil tanker Tasman Spirit off Karachi coast.

Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, flanked by other party leaders Nasrullah Khan Shaji, Hameedullah Khan, Yunus Barai and Sarfraz Ahmad, while speaking at a press conference at the party office here on Wednesday, called for special grant from the federal government to make necessary arrangements in order protect citizens and the coast from the repercussions of the oil slick.

He alleged that due to negligence by the concerned authorities the incident led to the worst sort of pollution as the KPT, PNSC and other concerned institutions failed to pay due attention.

According to the International Maritime Lines and Insurance Lines, no ship with over 15 years standing is allowed to enter into coastal area, the JI leader pointed out an asked how was the

Tasman Spirit contracted which had already crossed 15 years limit.

He also stressed the need for creating awareness in masses about the adverse effects of environmental pollution. He also called upon intellectuals, writers and media people to play their due role in this regard.

Replying to a question, Dr Huda said that the party was carrying out a survey covering the fishermen affected by the fallout of the ship incident. The aim of the survey, he added, was to assess the extent of the losses the fishermen community had suffered and to see how much relief the JI could provide them.

He observed that the oil slick had not only posed a serious threat to the marine life, but also caused a big damage to the coastal environment.

It would take years to restore the coastline’s original habitat and eliminate pollution, he said.

The JI leader recalled that in a similar incident some 15 years back, over 38,000 tons of oil had spilled from an oil tanker and the pollution resulting from the oil slick had rendered the entire coastal environment harmful to human being. Fifteen years on, the environment it is still not safe for the mankind, he added.

The JI leader described the statement of Federal Minister Ahmad Ali with regard to the pollution and its implications as ‘far from ground realities’ and accused him of hoodwinking people.