Timber Market fire incident: Federal government to provide 50 percent compensation to affected people: Sharjeel

Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon has said Sindh government in collaboration with federal government is taking various steps to eliminate the menace of terrorism as it is biggest challenge for the country. Speaking at cheques distributing ceremony amongst the affectees of Timber Market inferno, at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he said that the government of Sindh is the only government which has initiated a targeted operation against terrorism about one and a half year ago.
He said that during the ongoing operation, a large number of terrorists were killed, arrested and many of them left the country. Referring to Timber market fire, he is extending full support and assurance to fully compensate the affectees of Timber Market inferno, said that 50 percent of the compensation will be granted to the affectees by Sindh government whereas the remaining 50 percent will be provided by the federal government which would surely help in bringing back smiles on the faces of affectees.
He said that they will immediately start issuing compensation amount to the affectees as soon as the three committees, which have been formed to evaluate losses suffered by residents and traders of timber market, complete their work.
Appreciating the role played by KCCI in dealing with such incidents, he assured that the affectees of Timber market will be fully compensated in consultation with KCCI exactly the way the affectees of Bolton Market incident were compensated. He said cheques are only given to the affectees as initial relief. Sharjeel Inam Memon handed over a cheque of Rs 100,000 among 167 shopkeepers who were victim of the blaze that had destroyed the timber market on December 28.
Commenting on concerns raised by BMG Chairman Siraj Kassam Teli over water issue, the Minister recalled that after assuming charge as Minister for Local Governments, a total of 130 illegal hydrants were identified, of which 90 were demolished but it has been observed that these illegal hydrants were being reconstructed by unscrupulous elements who take stay orders from courts.
Leader of business community and former President KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli appreciated the support extended by Sindh government, particularly Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Commissioner Karachi and many others in providing relief to the business community of Karachi.
Referring to a sue-motto notice taken by Supreme Court on water issue, Siraj Kassam Teli advised the Sindh government to divide water supply of Karachi into four segments. He said that Karachi city hardly receive 650 MGD (Million Gallons Per Day) water against the demand of 1000 MGD whereas this limited amount of water being supplied to Karachi curtails further due to water theft. To deal with this serious issue, Siraj Teli also suggested formation of a monitoring committee comprising honest officers of KWSB as the Board was not entirely corrupt. He said that instead of disconnecting sub-soil water supply to honest industrial users, this committee should investigate and accordingly act against those elements who were involved in water theft.
President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra pointed out that soon after the fire incident of Timber market, Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Kassam Teli directed the office bearers to immediately reach the site and listen to the grievances being faced by traders, besides taking up this issue with concerned authorities of Sindh government. He appreciated the effective role played by Sindh government, particularly Sharjeel Inam Memon who always tries his best to ensure relief to the perturbed business community of Karachi in such situations. Sindh Minister for Katchi Abadis Javed Nagori, Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Former President KCCI, A. Q. Khalil, and Hanif Soomro also shared their experiences on the occasion.