Chairman Pakistan Dry Ports Association (PDPA) Sheikh Ashfaq Ahmed has expressed deep concern over Karachi Ashura incident and termed it an outcome of a conspiracy to ruin the national economy. In a statement on Thursday, PDPA Chief said 44 precious lives were lost in the blast and over 85 persons were critically injured.
More than 2000 shops in various Karachi markets were completely damaged by miscreants causing colossal financial loss to the traders. It was a great national loss and the government and all sections of the society should financially help the distressed people of Karachi incident, he added.
Sheikh Ashfaq demanded of the government to float a special fund for the rehabilitation of affectees and grant soft-term loans to them to start their business afresh. Till their complete rehabilitation, the government should grant them monthly subsistence allowance to run their kitchens, he added.
He appealed to well-to-do persons and philanthropists of the country to donate generously towards this special fund. The PDPA Chairman appreciated Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for announcing of Rs 1 billion package for the affectees.
He also hailed the announcement of President Asif Ali Zardari to afford maximum possible help to Karachi blast victims and the resolve of the government not to spare the criminals who had committed this terror act. He also demanded of the government to immediately set up a high-powered commission comprising Supreme Court judges to conduct inquiry into Karachi incident and award exemplary punishment to the culprits to avoid such incidents in future.