Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that 83 persons lost their lives in the June 23 rainstorm in Karachi and their number being quoted by some quarters in hundreds is incorrect.
He was addressing a public meeting at a relief camp set up by city government in the coastal Mubarak village in Keamari Town after a visit to Gadap and Orangi Towns along with City Nazim Mustafa Kamal on Thursday.
On the occasion, CM announced construction of a dam in Mubarak village under small dam organisation and said the work will be taken in hand for providing urban-like facilities to Mubarak and other villages under Village Improvement Programme. He directed that a survey in this regard be started immediately.
He thanked Allah that no casualty occurred in this village, however, compensation will be given to those whose houses suffered damages.
He said even nations in the developed world cannot check earthquake or storm, but the speed with which the city government and towns, particularly City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, carried out rehabilitation work after June 23, bolstered the spirits of people.
Dr Arbab said that the Met office had forecast a cyclone in Karachi, but with the blessings of Allah a major catastrophe was averted. Addressing the meeting Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal said the government could not stop tragedies. However, it is seen as to what time assistance took to reach the affectees.
He recalled that city government had launched relief works immediately after June 23 tragedy and teams were despatched to coastal areas. He said a number of relief and medical camps have been set up in the area and the staff deployed is engaged round the clock to take care of affectees for the last 6 days.
Nazim congratulated Rangers, Police and civil administration and said they all worked as a team. "We all are working as a team of Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim throughout Sindh and serving the people", he declared.