KARACHI, Aug 22: Municipal authorities are responsible for draining out rainwater and are liable to pay damages for any loss caused by it, speakers at a seminar said here. The seminar was addressed by Justice Salim Akhtar (retired), former tax ombudsman, Justice Dr Ghous Mohammad (retired), senior civil judge Qazi Mohammad Naeem and advocates Sharmin Nasir and Nasir Maqsood.

The speakers deplored that civic agencies and public utilities were generally not maintaining quality of service. People were not aware of their rights as consumers and tax-payers and appeared to be quite generous in allowing their infringement.

They urged the legal fraternity and non-governmental organizations to create awareness among people to have recourse to legal remedies for the civic wrongs done to them by public authorities.