In order to compensate the transporters, Government of Sindh has started assessment of damages caused during the three days of rioting. Sources in Home department told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad had issued directives for assessing the damages caused during the three days of violent protest and rioting.
According to the department's estimation, around 900 vehicles, 37 Police stations, 131 banks and 31 petrol pumps were torched or damaged across Sindh during three days. On the other hand, Karachi Good Carriers' Association (KGCA) claimed that more than 1,000 trucks were torched except other vehicles in the aftermath of Benazir's assassination.
According to the Karachi Transport Itehad (KTI) around 150 buses were torched during the three days of havoc. Both the transporters' body threatening to go on strike demanded of the government to compensate their losses, which they estimated to be over Rs 20 billion.
When asked, Rasool Baksh, Secretary, Labour, Transport and Industry department, said that assessment of losses was in process after which the department would be in a position to consider compensating the transporters. He apprised that government would also evolve a policy for providing assistance to those who incurred huge losses to re-establish their businesses.
He said that transporters were miscalculating their losses and claiming excess compensation as per market value of their vehicle aimed to get surplus money, which was creating hurdles in the process of assessment. He urged upon the transporters to corporate with the concerned department by providing actual figure of losses.