Cost of Pakistan arson and looting put at over Rs 100 billion

President Pervez Musharraf has announced the setting up of a commission to investigate and identify those responsible for recent incidents of arson and looting in Pakistan, which have caused a loss of over Rs 100 billion to the country’s businesses and infrastructure. President Musharraf has also directed the Pakistan Prime Minister to come up with compensation packages for people and businesses which have been affected.

In a televised address to the nation, President Musharraf said ‘unimaginable losses’ have occurred, particularly in Sindh. President Musharraf said that the Rangers and Army has been deployed in Sindh in support of local police and said that these will stay in place until the election and beyond if necessary.

Exacerbating the current business continuity problems caused by looting and violence is the inability of many workers to travel to their place of employment due to petrol stations being closed and because many railway tracks, trains and stations have been badly damaged.

•Date: 3rd January 2008• Region: Asia •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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