Daily Times

The people of Karachi have been hit once more. The worst part is that they and everyone else saw it coming. The soaring temperatures — hitting 44 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days — did their worst. Over a 72-hour-period, some 65 people reportedly died of heatstroke.

In short, this is not good enough. Prolonged power outages combined with the holy month of Ramzan have impacted the city’s poorest. It was the same story back in June 2015, when around 1,300 expired; two-third of whom were said to be homeless. Yet fast-forward to today and the only advice that appears to be forthcoming on the part of the provincial set-up is for people to do their best to stay in the shade. This is naturally easier said than done given how Karachi has lost a great many of trees in the name of urban expansion. In addition, it does not take into account those who are hired as manual labourers. Or the unemployed who live in the city’s vast slum areas. Or, of course, the homeless.

The PPP government should wake up from its slumber. For instead of getting a hold of the situation, the Sindh Health ministry sought to contradict the findings of Edhi Foundation that had first reported the heatstroke-related death toll. It does not even matter that this assessment was supported by Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Not when the political leadership should have done more to set up heat stroke camps to deliver first aid to this city of 15 million. The PPP has been at the helm of Sindh for the last eight years.

This also begs the question of the recent untimely decision to have Karachi open its doors to a new zoo, DanZoo in Bahria Town. It is reportedly home to cheetahs, several birds as well as animals from around the world. All of which suggests that no lessons have been learned from Peshawar zoo. Moreover, given that children are the primary audience when it comes to attracting custom one has to wonder at how seriously child health and safety is being taken at this time of year. Especially considering how temperatures are expected to maintain an average high of 40-43 degrees.

And lastly, how can Karachi be taken seriously as a strong commercial hub when the authorities cannot even protect the city’s most vulnerable?  *

Published in Daily Times, May 23^rd 2018.