PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has demanded probe into government`s inability to take timely measures to protect lives and properties of the people from the Sunday`s rainstorm despite getting prior warning from the Met Office.

Talking to reporters after inquiring after the people injured in the tragedy at the Lady Reading Hospital on Tuesday, ANP`s central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the provincial government had committed an unforgivable crime by not taking preventive steps despite getting warning issued a day before by the Met Office, and demanded that those responsible must be brought to justice.

The government could have reduced quantum of losses from the natural calamity by taking steps, he said.

He also criticised the absence of government`s representatives and said that presence of chief minister and other government officials was required on such occasions to console those who suffered.

Earlier, the ANP leader visited Wahid Garhi, Speen Chowk and other localities and condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls, according to a press release. On the occasion, he also expressed concern over the losses caused by intense rains and demanded of the government to compensate the people appropriately.-Bureau Report