KARACHI, Oct 12: Federal minister for Communication Shamim Siddiqui has acknowledged that the inquiry report pertaining to the Sept 1 collapse of the Shershah bridge, a section of the Northern Bypass, could not be finalised as yet although he had promised to ensure this before the upcoming Eid. He maintained that the delay was caused by the private engagements of some members of the inquiry committee.

“But if we manage to finalise the report by the end of this month, still it would not be too late,” Mr Siddiqui remarked.

The minister’s views came on the occasion of the distribution of compensation cheques on Friday among the heirs of the five people who were killed in the incident.

When asked that what was more important for the inquiry committee members than the task they had been assigned, the minister argued that neither the committee members nor the others in the ministry or the National Highway Authority engaged for the purpose were being paid charges for the service and, therefore, they could not be forced to finalise the report within a deadline.

Mr Siddiqui said he had no idea how much time it would take to complete the inquiry but he realised now that the deadline set by him was not realistic. He said those responsible would be made to pay the cost of re-building the bridge, adding that the structure would be restored by August next.—PPI