LCCI grieves over fire incident
The Punjab Government on Tuesday announced compensation of Rs5 lakh each for the families of those killed in fire at a commercial plaza in New Anarkali area of Lahore.
An electrical short circuit in the 4storey Al Khalid Plaza was the likely cause of the fire in the Al Kareem Market area of New Anarkali, where mostly watches and clothes are sold.A city government official said 13 people died of suffocation and burns. The deceased include a woman and a child.
Taking notice of the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow over the loss of precious human lives and formed a special committee to probe the incident.
The chief minister has directed the committee to submit a report on the incident within 24 hours.
The Punjab Government has also announced compensation of Rs500,000 each for the families of the deceased and Rs100,000 for each of the injured. Anarkali Trader Union has announced that the market will remain shut today to mourn the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry while expressing grave concern over loss of billions of rupees and precious lives in repeated fire incidents at Karachi and Lahore. LCCI has demanded of the government to ensure installation of fire hydrants at the market places which are inaccessible for fire tenders to avoid future mishaps.
In a statement issued here Tuesday, LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that despite various fire incidents took place in the country during last one decade, no concrete measures had been taken. He said that although it is the government's task to put Hydrants in inaccessible market places but in case of financial constraints at government level, the private sector should also contribute. He asked the government to announce compensation for the businessmen who have suffered huge loss- es and also urged the private sector to get fire insurance on their own. LCCI President said that the fire in Karachi Timber Market and Lahore Anarkali has exposed the weaknesses in the system and there is an urgent need to rectify them on emergent basis.
He said that the massive devastation caused by the huge fire could have been averted if the concerned govern- ment departments had performed their duties properly and ensured implementation of rules and regulations. Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Lahore and Karachi had attained the status of commercial hubs of the country but never ever due attention was given towards upgradation of fire-fighting equipment to control the situation in case of any such untoward incident.