Sukkur: SHC expresses dissatisfaction over facilities in tent cities

SUKKUR: Sindh High Court (SHC) circuit bench on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over facilities in tent cities for flood victims, ARY News reported.

A division bench, comprised of Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, heard petitions with regard to floodwater drainage and providing relief to affected people.

Deputy Commissioner Khairpur and officers of revenue, irrigation departments, SCARP and PDMA appeared in the case hearing.

“In Gambat’s tent city a medical camp was established but the staff is unavailable,” the court said while expressing dissatisfaction over facilities in tent cities.

“The photos submitted, are of a medical camp in a house, when people are living in tents, why the doctors not sitting there,” Justice Zafar Rajput remarked.

The bench resented over misreporting to the court about the medical camp and ordered suspension of the Assistant Commissioner and Mukhtiarkar Gambat. The court also suspended the District Health Officer (DHO) Khairpur over failing to provide medical facilities.

The bench also ordered inquiry against the AC and Mukhtiarkar Gambat. The high court bench directed Secretary Health to initiate an inquiry against DHO Khairpur.

DHO Khairpur, AC and Mukhtiarkar Gambat tendered apology to the court. The bench granted the apology and withdrawn suspension orders of the officers.

“Earlier, people were dying by water and now they will die by diseases,” Justice Rajput remarked. “The winter is ahead, how much blankets and warm clothes provided in relief camps,” the bench questioned. “What facilities the PDMA providing in tent cities,” the bench asked.

“SCARP tube-wells are discharging water from various areas,” Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage told the court.

The court directed for providing Ring Bund to Thari Mirwah and Khora and pumping out water from the area.

“Diseases are rapidly spreading in camps, necessary measures should be taken to control malaria and other diseases,” court said.

The bench adjourned further hearing of the case until October 20.