KARACHI: City Mayor Wasim Akhtar demanded on Saturday that K-Electric officials responsible for the “mass murder” of victims of electrocution during the recent monsoon rains be tried in open court through public hearings.

Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference, he appreciated the decision in Nepra inquiry into the incidence of electrocution in the city and said that the regulatory authority had held the power utility responsible for death of people.

He said that electrocution of people during rains was not the personal case of victims’ families, but it was the case of the entire city.

The mayor said that the city could be run only by correcting the system and those responsible for such negligence must be punished and the victims get the justice.

He said the city’s civic and municipal infrastructure had been devastated adding to the miseries of the people.

The mayor said that 40 people died due to electrocution in the city during monsoon rains.

“People would continue to die like this if the responsible officials are not brought to book”, added.

He said that it was high time to launch a joint struggle to bring some relief to people of Karachi. “There has been enough blame game”, he added.

The mayor said that the city badly needed funds and resources for development of its infrastructure.

He appealed to the president, the prime minister and the chief justice of Pakistan to give attention to problems being faced by the city.

Responding to a question, he said that he was the deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and his party stood by him.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2019