Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced an Rs100, 000 for day-to-day expenditures for each family affected and displaced due to fire in the Timber Market compound. “I would not let them alone and make all out efforts to compensate each and every affected family and traders.”
This decision he made in a high level meeting held with him in the chair here at CM House on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister for Local government Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Katchi Abadis Jawed Nagori, CM Coordinator Nadia Gabol, Principal Secretary to CM Alamudin Bullo, Commissioner Karachi Shaoib Siddiqi, MD KWSB Hashim Raza Zaidi, Administrator KMC Rauf Akhtar Siddiqui, Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput , Spokesperson to Chief Minister Waqar Mehdi, Rashid Rabbani and other high officials.
Minister for Information and Local Government Mr Sharjeel Inam Memon briefing the chief minister said that the complaint of the fire was registered with fire station at 1.10am. “The fire brigade with two fire tenders rushed to the spot immediately. After that 28 fire tenders were engaged as it was identified as third degree fire. On the government request KPT, Cantonment, DHA and Pakistan Navy also sent their fire tenders. That was also a great support.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the chief minister was committed to compensate the affected people of the fire incident. “But losses and number of the affected people must be assessed first,” he said and added that the government would made the required funds available.
Commissioner Karachi Mr Shoaib Siddiqi said that he reached the spot at 3.15pm. Just after him, MD KWSB Mr Hashim Raza Zaidi, Administrator KMC Raoof Akhtar Farooqi and Municipal Commissioner reached there.”Keeping in view the situation I got the power and gas connection of the area disconnected and then went to a nearby private hydrant and managed water for the fire tenders,”
Minister for Katchi Abadi Mr Jawed Nagori told the meeting that he reached on the spot at 4am. The streets were very narrow, therefore fire tenders started their operation from the backside. “I remained in constant touch with the affected people and the traders association right from Larkana and visited the spot as soon as I got Karachi.”
Nadia Gabol Coordinator to Chief Minister said that she visited the area twice and met with the affected people. SSP South with his police force remained in the area the whole night . As a result, law and order in the area remain maintained.
Mr Waqar Mehdi said “there needs to be a thorough inquiry into the incident. It would ascertain the causes of the fire.”
Sindh Chief Minister thanked the other agencies like Pakistan Navy, KPT, DHA and Cantonments for their prompt action and support.
He directed Minister for Katch Abadis Mr Jawed Nagori to personally monitor the entire relief work and look after the affected families personally.
The chief minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the Finance Minister to release the funds to Commissioner Karachi who would give Rs100,000 to each affected family for their day-to-day expenditures. “These funds must be released to the people whose names are reflected in the verified list issued by the Deputy Commissioner South.”
The chief minister just after the meeting contacted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for financial support to rehabilitate the affected families and the traders of the timber market.
The chief minister also directed Commissioner Karachi to finalize the inquiry and ascertain the actual reason of the fire eruption and the number of families, their houses and the loses of the traders.
SSGC undertakes major gas theft raid in Baldia Town
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: In continuation of SSGC’s drive against gas theft and minimizing the ratio of UFG (un-Accounted for gas), SSGC conducted another major raid against direct use of gas in Muhammad Khan colony situated in Baldia Town area.
After receiving information from reliable sources, the Task Force of SSGC’s Customer Relations Department, led by Nawab Ali Shah, Acting Manager conducted the raid. During the operation, the Task force disconnected more than 1,800 illegal connections, which were obtaining gas through illegal rubber pipe network.
The team promptly disconnected unmetered connections by removing the rubber pipes and plugging in supply lines. Through these illegal connections, a quantum of about 83 million cubic feet of gas was being annually stolen, which in monetary terms translates to Rs. 17.1 million per annum.
The SSGC officials also moved an application, according to the Gas theft law, in Saeed Abad Police station for registering the FIR against the culprits.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: On 8th Rabbi-ul-Awal-1436 A.H. i.e. 31st December-2014, at 0630 hours an Alam procession known as “CHUP TAZIA” will be taken out from Nishtar Park and it will terminate at Noor Bagh Musaffir Khana Moosa Lane, Karachi.
The route of “CHUP TAZIA” procession will be as under: –
NISHTAR PARK/SHAH NAWAZ BHUTTO ROAD, FATHER JAMINIS ROAD, M.A.JINNAH ROAD, MAINSEFIELD STREET / PREEDY STREET AGAIN M.A. JINNAH ROAD, BOULTON MARKET , BOMBAY BAZAR , MARKET ROAD, MAHABAT KHANJI ROAD , ATMA RAM PRITAM DAS ROAD TO MOOSA LANE , NOOR BAGH MUSAFIR KHANA WHERE THE PROCESSION WILL TERMINATE AFTER HOLDING MAJLIS.
1) As soon as the procession will start from Nishter Park all vehicular Traffic coming from city side will be diverted towards Soldier Bazar (Bahadur Yar Jang Road) Coast Guard, Ankle Seria Chowk to Jubilee or Nishtar Road.
2) All kind of traffic coming from Nazimabad side will be diverted Lasbella towards Nishter Road towards Zoological Garden to reach their destinations.
3) All kind of traffic coming from Liaquatabad side will be diverted on Martin road towards Jail side. These vehicles shall, however, be permitted to proceed upto Jail and shall then proceed via Jamshed Road, Dada Bhoy Noorji Road, Kashmir Road, Shahra-e- Quaideen, Shara-e-Faisal, Lucky Star, Sarwar Shaheed Road, Fawara Chowk, Shaheen Complex, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Tower.
4) All kind of traffic coming from Stadium Road side shall proceed via New M.A. Jinnah Road. These vehicles shall be diverted at Dada Bhoy Noorji Road towards Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal, Shara-e-Quaideen to Shara-e-Faisal.
5) All kind of traffic coming from Superhighway side shall be diverted from Liaquatabad No. 10 towards Chowrangi No.2 Nazimabad and shall proceed via Habib Bank Chowk, Estate Avenue Road, Sher Shah to Maripur Road. For return journey these vehicles shall adopt the same route.
6) All kind of traffic approaching from National Highway side shall proceed via Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No.10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No.2, Habib Bank, Estate Avenue Road, Sher Shah, Maripur Road. For return journey these vehicles shall also adopt the same route.
7) All kind of traffic shall not be permitted to proceed towards the route of the procession from Guru Mandir (Roundabout). These vehicles shall be diverted onto Bahadur Yar Jang road and again onto Khan Bahadur Naqi Muhammad Khan Road. Under no circumstances these vehicles shall be permitted to proceed along Soldier Bazar road from the junction of Khan Bahadur Naqi Muhammad Khan Road/ Bahadur Yar Jan Road.
8) All kind of Traffic coming towards Quaid-e-Azam Mazar via M.A. Jinnah Road will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road. No vehicular Traffic will be permitted to proceed towards Old Exhibition under any circumstances.
9) All vehicular Traffic approaching Old Exhibition via Shahra-e-Quaideen (except those arriving for participating or ZIYARAT in the procession i.e. essential service vehicles) shall not be allowed to proceed from the intersection of Shahra-e-Quaideen / Society Light Signal. No Bus/Minibus / Trucks will be permitted to proceed beyond this roundabout towards Old Exhibition.
10) All Traffic going towards Saddar and other Colonies will not be permitted to proceed towards Empress Market from the junction of (1) Preedy Street/M.A. Jinnah Road, (2) Court Road Chowk and (3) Fresko Chowk when the head of the procession reaches near the crossing of M.A. Jinnah Road/Mansfield street.
11) Similarly, all vehicular Traffic proceeding towards Saddar via M.A. Jinnah Road side shall not be permitted to proceed from its junction with Preedy Street and Agha Khan Road / Mansfield Street.
12) No vehicular Traffic shall be permitted to proceed towards M.A. Jinnah Road from the junction of M. A. Jinnah Road (Preedy Street) until the procession enter Bomby Bazar.
13) The vehicular Traffic on Agha Khan Road from Zoological Garden side shall not be permitted to proceed towards M. A. Jinnah Road / Agha Khan Road intersection.
14) The diversion of Buses, Minibuses and other heavy Traffic vehicles shall be started well in advance whereas the car Traffic shall be diverted as soon the procession starts.
15) When Chup Tazia Procession terminates at Bara Imambargah Kharadar all kind Traffic coming from Lee Market shall be allowed towards Hussanian Iranian Imambgargah from Nawab Mahabat Khan Ji Road, similarly from Krane Chowrangi all kind Traffic shall be stopped.
NO VEHICLES SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PARK ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION AND THE ROUTE WILL BE KEPT CLEAR FROM ALL PARKING AND OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2NDCHUP TAZIA PROCESSION FROM TRAFFIC POLICE KARACHI
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: On 8th Rabbi-ul-Awal-1436 A.H. i.e. 31st December-2014, at about 3 pm 2nd procession of “CHUP TAZIA” will be taken out from Qasr-e-Musayyab Rizvia Society to Shah-e-Najaf Imambargah Martin Road.
The route of “CHUP TAZIA” procession will be as under: –
Qasr-e-Musayyab, Altaf Hussain Bralvi Road, Chowrangi No.1, Nawab Siddiq Ali Khan Road, Lasbella Chowk, Nishtar Road, 3 Hatti, Martin Road, PIB Colony Crossing, Jail Road, Martin Road to Shah Najaf Imambargah.
As soon as the procession starts from Qasr-e-Musayyab Traffic will be diverted from below mentioned points.
1) All kind of traffic coming from New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Hyderi and Nazimabad No.7 side will be diverted before Patrol Pump Flyover left towards Liaquatabad No. 10 and Hassan Square onwards.
2) All kind of traffic coming from Sohrab Goth Water Pump towards Karimabad Flyover shall be blocked at 3 pm and traffic shall be diverted right towards Moosa Colony and left towards Usman Memorial Hospital onward towards Hassan Square to reach their destination.
3) Similarly at 3pm all kind of traffic coming from Liaquatabad No. 10 side shall be diverted from Dak Khana towards Sindhi Hotel onward to University Road to reach their destination.
4) From Bara Board to Gujjar Nala Crossing road will be closed for all kind of traffic.
5) At 3 pm all kind of traffic going via Gurumandir, Liaquatabad, Gulberg, Sohrab Goth, New Karachi , North Nazimabad, and Hyderi shall be diverted from Gurumandir, towards Banori Light Signal, New M.A. Jinnah Road, Islamia College, Jail Flyover, University Road, Hassan Square to onward or left towards Sir Shah Suleman Road to reach their destination.
6) All kind of Traffic coming towards 3 Hatti via Garden, Lasbella Signal shall be diverted from Nishtar Road, Albella Light Signal towards Britto Road to reach their destination.
NO VEHICLES SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PARK ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION AND THE ROUTE WILL BE KEPT CLEAR FROM ALL PARKING AND OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS.
Military courts without constitutional amendments to backfire: Justice Saeeduzzman Siddiqui
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Ex Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice (retried) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui has said that if military court were established without proper constitutional amendments, their fate would not be different from the military courts as announced in the era of Mian Nawaz Sharif in 1998.
Speaking at a seminar, organized by Pasban, at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) he reminded at that time those military courts were challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and in the case of Muhram Ali, the Supreme Court gave the ruling that the military courts were against the prevailing judicial system and the constitution of Pakistan. These courts even if established would not prove beneficial. If the government wants to set up the military courts again it should have to amend the constitution and make these courts subordinate to the high courts. Otherwise, the establishment of the military courts would mean that there is lack of confidence in the prevailing court system in Pakistan.
Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui said that the military courts are against the article 175 of the constitution of Pakistan. Under the article 245 the government can seek assistance from the armed forces when needed and even call them for a limited period and in this regard also make laws; however, it cannot set up the military courts as a permanent legal system. (PLD1998 Supreme Court Page 1445)
Ex-president of Supreme Court Bar Association Hamid Ali Khan addressing the seminar on telephone said that establishing of military courts is against the law and constitution and an extra-constitutional step. He said the experiment of military courts in past is before us, which were termed null and void by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1998. He said the record and decisions of the previous military courts in martial law regimes are there to show that these courts are no solution to the issues facing nation and country. These decisions in past have remained disputed. He said instead of insisting on military courts we should remove the shortcomings of our present judicial system and increase access of people to swift and cost-effective justice system.
Pasban e Pakistan President Altaf Shakoor said that Pasban has not invited any political parties to this seminar because all political parties are supporing the unconstitutional military courts. He said the assistance of the armed forces and agencies in judicial investigation is welcome, but the right to give verdicts should remain vested with the judges. He said the corrupt police deliberately makes cases weak and the judges cannot go to field for investigation. He asked if the army officers are replaced with judges, would the judges be sent to battlefield. He said that Pasban would foil the conspiracy to create differences between the Pakistani masses and their army. He said Pakistan army is our own army and it is not proper for patriotic Pakistanis to utter improper language against it due to the mistakes of a few officers. He said that our nuclear assets are the first target of the enemy who wants to flare internal conflicts to assure its reach to these precious assets. He said that our army and agencies are for the protection of our people. He said that the consequences of PPO have been seen by all. He said the police have already become an unbridled horse, and establishment of military courts would further deteriorate the situation and may harm the honor and credibility of the forces.
Noted journalist and columnist Tahir Najmi said the whole nation is mourning the Peshawar tragedy, and every Pakistani wants that the culprits are duly punished. He said; however, we should show sanity and give focus to improve our system to ensure such tragedies are not repeated in future. He said there should be a justice system that ensures due punishment to the criminals but does not harm any innocent person.
Noted religious scholar and administrator of Jamia Binoria Mufti Naeem said the common man is not getting justice either from the ordinary courts or special courts. He said the statement of Asif Ali Zardari is worth noting that the politicians would not be brought to the military courts. He said therefore, it seems that only bearded and religious men would be tried in these courts to please the Western powers. He said that when no action is taken against those who are grabbing lands, parks and playgrounds, and there is talk to raze mosques, it is a sheer injustice.
Vice president of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asad Iqbal Advocate said sadly the political parties in the all parties’ conference supported the military courts, and now these parties are making lame excuses. He said the verdicts of the military courts of past martial laws are questionable and now it is feared that the proposed military courts would be used against the political workers of Balochistan and Sindh. He said it is injustice that if some workers protest for their rights, police is allowed to baton charge them, but when a worker pelts police with stones, he is declared terrorists and tried in a military court. He said a proper definition of ‘terrorist’ should be devised. He said it needs to reform the judicial system, modernize police on scientific lines, and give protection to judges, lawyers and witnesses, as these steps would result in end to terrorism.
Lawyer leader Barrister Salahuddin said there are reservations on the matter of military courts. He asked who would decide that which case would go to the present courts and which to the military courts. He said that a hasty decision for establishment of military courts without consultations with the Supreme Court of Pakistan, bar associations and lawyers would be contrary to the present judiciary. He said the experiment of anti-terrorist courts has already failed. He said instead of going for the military courts, the lacunas in the present courts and institutions should be removed.
Noted journalist Syed Arif Mustafa said to fight terrorism it is necessary to redress the root causes of terrorism. He said all types and forms of terrorism should be eliminated. He said the killings of people in the infighting of political groups should be termed terrorism. To threaten media to get the desired coverage should also be included in the definition of terrorism. He regretted that the present judiciary system is being bypassed in the garb of military courts. He, however, advised that there is no harm in getting assistance from the army in investigation and taking the culprits to the task.
However, ex-president of Karachi Press Club (KPC) Imtiaz Faran said that any step of the government without the democratic process of legislation would remain questionable. He said with the name of military courts one thinks about extra-judicial punishments and in case of any excesses a good step could be changed in a conflict. He said more timeframe given to reach to a decision. He said the government should ensure that no excesses would be committed at any cost. He said if the judicial system was bypassed it would deal an irreparable blow. He said if the step that the present government is committed to take, did not give the desired results it would only spread hopelessness amongst the masses.