Petition against Federation in SC for lack of precautions

ISLAMABAD - PML-Q legislator Marvi Memon has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against Federation of Pakistan, Province of Sindh and other departments and ministries for breaching and violating the rights of the citizens in Sindh and Balochistan who were affected by floods. The petition was filed on the grounds that the Federation, province of Sindh, Ministry of Water and Power, Defence, Finanace, Irrigation Department Sindh, Home Department Sindh, Revenue Department Sindh, Federal and Sindh Food Relief Commissioner, NDMA, and Provincial District Management Authority failed to properly anticipate and respond to the natural disaster by ignoring both the reports of the World Bank and major international NGOs that Pakistan was in danger of floods and then ignoring response to the flood warnings which led to the disaster. In the petition, it is prayed that the Honourable court may be pleased to order that the respondents pay full and complete compensation for losses and damage incurred to all affected persons, give full, complete and accurate statements of accounts for the money which was allocated for maintenance and monitoring of the irrigation system in Sindh and Balochistan, as well as those which have been earmarked for all relief, rescue and early recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities. It is further prayed to the Honourable court to order concerned respondents to show cause as to why the needed irrigation maintenance, monitoring and upgrades were not performed. Also, an order to concerned agencies to commence investigation into the conduct of all responsible persons with a view of seeing if any criminal charges or civil penalties may be appropriate in each individual case was also prayed. The respondents be directed to provide detailed reasons and justifications for making every cut/breach made at any time. This should include, but not be limited to, inform as to who gave the order to make each cut/breach and the precautions taken, if any, to protect life and property from the consequences each cut, stated petitioner Marvi Memon, prayer to the Apex Court of Pakistan.

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