SHC tells govt to suggest ways to deal with another heatwave

Karachi

The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the provincial government to submit its comments about taking precautionary measures in case of another heatwave in Karachi.

The court was hearing a petition seeking the constitution of a judicial commission to fix the responsibility of negligence on federal and provincial authorities concerned over the deaths of more than 1,000 citizens last year from excessive heat.

Petitioner Shahzad Roy and other social welfare organizations submitted in the petition that more than 1,000 persons had died while more than 40,000 others suffered from heatstroke in the heatwave that struck Karachi last year, but the federal and provincial governments had failed to understand the seriousness of climate change despite several warnings.

They submitted that the federal and provincial governments did not declare a state of emergency in the heatwave-hit areas until 23 June when over 426 persons had died and a large number of people suffered from heatstroke. The petitioners said even the city’s power utility failed to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to residents, and uninterrupted supply of power had could have minimized the suffering of citizens in the terrible heatwave. Besides, they said, the role of K-Electric in the entire heatwave episode should be examined since it had failed to provide uninterrupted supply.

It was said the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority also filed its report mentioning that NEPRA had imposed a fine of Rs10 million on the K-Electric with regards to the power breakdown during last year’s heatwave and discriminatory distribution of electricity to different areas of the Karachi.

NEPRA said it had directed the KE to provide electricity to all consumers without any discrimination. Its representatives said the KE was also warned to increase its generation capacity and improve its transmission and distribution system strictly in accordance with the relevant investment plans. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that there was prediction of another heatwave this year by the metrological department so measures need to be taken in this regard. The SHC division bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah adjourning the matter till April 13 and directed the provincial government to submit comments with regard to measures taken for overcoming the heatwave situation.

The K-Electric, earlier, submitted in its comments that it could not be blamed for death of over 1,000 citizens in the recent heatwave since it did its utmost to ensure provision of electricity in the city. The K-electric submitted that there was no communication by any government authority or department giving any forewarning as to the extent of the heatwave. Besides, it was said, the majority of those who passed away were homeless people.

The KE said that neither was it shown nor it was established that there was a direct correlation between load shedding and deaths. “Had this been the case, areas such as Sibi and Larkana, where load shedding regimes are much higher (in some cases up to 18 hours and mercury reaches 49 degrees Celsius) there would have been more deaths,” it stated, adding that there was no correlation between the deaths caused by the heatwave and the alleged lack of electricity or load shedding. 

 

Notice to Chairman NAB

The SHC issued notice to Chairman NAB to explain the inefficiency and non-serious conduct of the bureau’s investigation officers.

Hearing a petition against NAB reference in sales tax refund, the court took exception regarding absence of NAB investigation officers in the case. Petitioner sought asked for quashing the NAB reference against him pertaining to defaulting to the tune of Rs4.3 million in sales tax refund. The court observed that neither the investigation officer appeared in court nor did he file a report to assist the court.