Accountability — for all
Nawaz Sharif has flown abroad for medical treatment, but political point-scoring by the government and the PML-N continues. Both sides are interpreting the LHC ruling of November 16 — whereby the three-time former PM, who is stuck in corruption cases in the country, has been granted permission to fly out — as a victory of their respective political narratives. PM Imran Khan, who leads the government, attempts to convince his followers that he has not budged from his election pledge of holding the corrupt to account and that the word from the court does ensure a return journey by Nawaz. The PML-N, on the other hand, is drumbeating the point that the relief to the party chief has come on merit and not under a deal or a plea-bargain whatsoever.
The PM, however, sounded visibly upset — angry, in fact — as he got back to business after his two-day retreat to Banigala that came in the immediate wake of the November 16 court ruling. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a section of the Hazara motorway on Monday, the PM could not help drag his oft-repeated “commitment” to the accountability process into his address. Scathingly, he dwelt much more on his political opponents than on the road project he inaugurated, and made it clear — in what can be construed as a reinvigorated message depicting his uncompromising self — that he “will not spare a single person who has plundered the nation’s wealth”.
There can be no question of why he should not. After all, he is the prime minister and is duty-bound to ensure accountability — for all. But when he insists he will not give an NRO-like deal to anybody, what he involuntarily conveys is that he is the all in all in the chain of the process of accountability, himself raising questions on the credibility of the whole exercise. Well, the opposition’s contention that many a man siding with the PM enjoys immunity from corruption probe is something that stands supplemented by the CJP calling the accountability process “lopsided” and “a part of political engineering”. The PM must falsify this impression through his actions — and not just words. He must ensure that the accountability under him is no political victimisation.
Firefighting capabilities
With a population of over 20 million, Karachi has only 13 fire tenders to respond to fire emergencies. Of the 50 Karachi Fire Brigade’s fire engines, at present only 13 can be operated. The city needs 200 fire brigade stations with 10,000 personnel — each station with four fire tenders at the ready, with at least 50 personnel working in three shifts. But the current situation is highly unsatisfactory in a city where fire breaks out often in industries and warehouses. The shortage of fire tenders and a highly insufficient number of firefighters result in fires causing much more damage than they could do if the city is better prepared to respond to fire emergencies.
Recently several fire incidents occurred at industries and in warehouses. A minor girl died after a fire broke out in a house, and several timber warehouses were gutted because of inordinate delays in fire engines reaching the fire sites in time. The situation only points to adhocism that has become the hallmark of our national affairs. Reports say the Sindh Building Control Authority has recklessly allowed the construction of high-rise buildings without taking into account measures against the outbreak of fire. Besides, the number of snorkels is also insufficient.
A few years ago when a fire broke out in an office-cum-residential high-rise in Saddar, a man tried to escape by jumping from the building. He caught hold of a windowsill a few floors below. After hovering between life and death for several minutes, he fell on the ground and died instantly. Such incidents keep happening and yet the authorities have remained unmoved. Fire safety officials say around 4,500 fire incidents occur in Karachi each year, mostly in industrial and commercial areas. Most fires occur due to faulty wiring. The authorities should bear in mind that a spark neglected makes a mighty fire.
Cabinet reshuffle