Sindh CM vows to accommodate Arshi Manzil affectees  

• Justice Maqbool Baqar inspected burnt buildings and shops.
• At least 74 apartments and 130 shops were gutted with fire.
• The flats on the backside of the building remained safe.

KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has said that the eruption of fire in Arshi Manzil, a six-storey commercial and residential building, at Aisha Manzil is the result of the utter failure, criminal negligence, and inefficiency of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and other concerned civic bodies and their officers.

Earlier, the chief minister inspected the burnt buildings and shops and met with the affected people. He was told that 74 apartments and 130 shops were gutted with fire. The flats on the backside of the building remained safe.

Had the SBCA implemented all the building codes such a huge fire would not have claimed three innocent lives and reduced 74 apartments and 130 shops,” he deplored and went on saying that he had ordered an inquiry into the incident in which responsibility would also be fixed against the delinquent so that they could be brought to book.

Every building must be equipped with a fire safety system, and fire tender route but sorry to say all these important safety measures have been ignored. “I had already issued such orders for carrying out safety and security audits of the public and private buildings so that such incidents could be avoided,” he said and added that he would ensure safety and security audit of all the important buildings so that shortcomings could be overcome.

The CM said that the assessment of the losses caused to the residents and the traders would be assessed. “The Sindh government would try to support the residents and the traders,” he said.

To a question, the CM said that he has directed the district administration not to allow anybody to start living in the burnt apartments until and unless the SBCA inspect the building and declares its status. “I have directed the district administration to establish camps for the affected people so that they could stay there till the building is inspected,” he said.

The deputy commissioner has designated two school buildings –  Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Azizabad and Allama Shabir Usmani Block-14, FB Area to house the affected families .

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Earlier, the chief minister inspected the burnt buildings and shops and met with the affected people. He was told that 74 apartments and 130 shops were gutted with fire. The flats on the backside of the building remained safe.