Karachi relief body to rebuild 19 arson-hit markets

Friday, March 05, 2010
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The Karachi Affected Markets Relief Committee (KAMRC) of the Sindh government will reconstruct 19 markets set ablaze on December 28, 2009 in Karachi with cooperation and consultation of the local government.

For the reconstruction work, consultant and builders have been selected, said Spokesman for KAMRC, AQ Khalil.

He made this announcement at the conclusion of the committee meeting held under the chairmanship of M Zubair Motiwala at Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) the other day.

He further said after initial deliberation for reconstruction of affected markets, Rs200 million is needed. The final decision, however, will be made after the recommendation of the consultant, according to a press statement issued here on Thursday.

The committee was informed that till January 20, 2010, some 2,806 affectees approached KAMRC for filing their claims against their goods burnt to ashes in the tragic fire incident happened on December 28, 2009 destroying markets at MA Jinnah Road, whereby the federal and provincial government ensured the provision of Rs3.5 billion out of which Rs2.5 billion are transferred to the relief committee.

According to the latest information, till date, payment of claims worth around Rs1.38 billion is in process likely to be completed by second week of March, 2010. The committee, for relief and rehabilitation activities for affectees expressed gratitude to the KCCI and termed the assessment, scrutiny of claims and instant payment decisions as historic and appreciable and also recorded their confidence in the KCCI.

The committee took notice of the complaints of affectees for delay in the reconstruction of affected markets and decided that 19 affected markets will be reconstructed in the light of instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat Ul Ibad Khan with consultation and productive suggestions of provincial and local government and heritage department and on the recommendation of the committee. Khalil said ABAD and others institutions for volunteer services have been invited in this regard.