Pakistan: Deaths by fire

FRONTIER POST

Who is responsible for the loss of over three hundred industrial workers killed in separate incidents of fire in two factories: One on Bund Road in Lahore and the other on Hub River Road in Karachi. Perhaps no one, as these tragedies were caused by the apathy of the officialdom of the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Reports say that some 26 labourers were burnt alive in the shoe factory in Lahore and almost three hundred lost their lives in Karachi fire. The two unfortunate incidents also left at least 51 sustaining injuries with some wounded said to be paralyzed for the rest of their lives and thus can be counted among half-dead, for they have been rendered useless and cannot support their families. In fact, they have become burdens on their financially restrained families keeping in view that the dead and seriously injured were factory workers. Chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh have announced Rs500,000 compensation for the families of each of the deceased and Rs75,000 for each wounded industrial worker, in addition to free medical treatment. This is all the two provincial governments could and have offered to the bereaved families. The governments does not seem to have serious intentions of holding inquiries to identify those responsible for the tragic incidents. Allowing an entrepreneur to establish a factory is the job of the industry department but, the government also has the responsibility to ensure if all the safety measures have been taken and the industrial units are equipped with sufficient safety equipment and other steps taken to make sure the workers are doing their jobs in safe and secure working environment. For example, the factory at Lahore which produced shoes had abundance of inflammable material like rubber, leather and glue. These were apparently hazardous and a fire risk on their own; yet the factory had no fire-fighting system which could at least have contained the fire till the city fire fighting units arrived. Even the fire fighting units, when they arrived, could not work properly as there was not enough pressure in the water pipelines to put off the flames. The industries department is also under legal obligation of periodic examination of all industrial units. But electronic media reports said no such inspection was undertaken by the department since the shoe factory was established about three years ago. As for the blaze in Karachi industrial unit, it was said that short-circuiting was the reason. Still, an inquiry should be held to find out whether authorities concerned had examined the wiring of the factory which was their responsibility. Similar inquiry should also be held in Lahore and those who had not carried out their official obligations, be punished under the law.