KARACHI, Sept 19: Niamatullah Khan, former city nazim, on Monday expressed profound grief over the loss of many lives in Landhi due to water contamination and described the incident ‘a matter of extreme shame for the provincial government.”

He also expressed his sympathy with several hundred people who had fallen sick after consuming the water. Instead of accusing each other of being responsible, the caretakers of the local government should concentrate on steps to save those infected by the epidemic, he said in a statement.

Niamatullah Khan demanded judicial inquiry into the tragic incident, and stressed that culprits deserved harsh punishment.

He also called for all medical facilities for the patients, and urged the government to pay compensation to the bereaved families. He said the government must ensure provision of safe drinking water to all citizens as this was its responsibility.

Mr Khan said all those found negligent in the case must be brought to justice in order to avoid recurrence of such incidents.—PPI