KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over a traffic accident in the southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday after a bus lost control and fell into a ravine, killing at least 28 people.
Fatal accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads, particularly in many rural and mountainous areas, are in poor condition.
Such incidents are particularly common in Balochistan where single carriage roads connect various cities and even some highways lack modern safety features.
“In this difficult time, we stand with the grieving families and express our heartfelt sympathy,” Sharif was quoted as saying by a statement circulated by his office.
The statement said the prime minister instructed the relevant authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Speaking to Arab News, Muhammad Ismail Mengal, the assistant commissioner in Baseema, where the incident occurred, said the bus was traveling from Gwadar to Quetta.
“When it reached Kalghali in the Baseema sub-division of Balochistan’s Washuk district, one of its tires burst, causing the bus to fall down [from the mountainous highway],” he continued. “As a result, 28 people, including three women and three children, died, while 27 others were injured.”
“Four of the injured are in critical condition, for whom a Pakistan Army helicopter will arrive shortly to airlift them to Quetta,” he added. “The remaining injured have been transferred to CMH [Combined Military Hospital], Khuzdar.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti also expressed sorrow and regret over the incident.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of valuable lives in the bus accident,” he said. “We share the grief of the relatives of the deceased.”
PM orders medical assistance as 28 killed in bus accident in southwestern Pakistan
https://arab.news/c65wp
PM orders medical assistance as 28 killed in bus accident in southwestern Pakistan
- The incident took place in Washuk district when a Quetta-bound bus fell into a ravine after one of its tires burst
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructs the authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured
Pakistan bans ex-PM Khan’s sister from meeting him for allegedly violating prison rules
- Pakistan information minister accuses Khanum of discussing political matters with brother, instigating masses against state
- Uzma Khanum met her brother, ex-PM Khan, on Tuesday in Adiala Jail where he remains incarcerated on slew of charges
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Thursday that the government will not allow former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister to meet him anymore, accusing her of violating prison rules by indulging in political discussions during her visits.
Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khanum and Aleema Khanum, met him at the Adiala Prison on Tuesday after being allowed by the authorities to do so. The former prime minister’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and family members accused authorities of illegally denying them permission to visit the incarcerated leader in jail.
Khan’s sisters had spoken to local and international media outlets last month, voicing concern over his safety as rumors of his death started doing the rounds on social media. However, Khanum quashed the rumors on Tuesday when she said her brother was “in good health” after meeting him.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Tarar accused Khanum and the former premier’s other sisters of attempting to create a “law and order situation” outside Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi. He alleged Khanum had partaken in political discussions with her brother, which was in violation of prison rules.
“As per the rules, there is no room for political discussions, and it has been reported that political talk did take place, hence Uzma Khanum’s meetings have been banned from today,” Tarar said.
The minister said Khan’s meetings with his sisters took place in the presence of the jail superintendent, alleging that discussions revolved around instigating the masses and on political matters.
“Based on these violations, under any circumstances, the rules and code of conduct do not allow meetings to take place,” the minister said. “You were given a chance. Whoever violated [the rules] their meetings have been banned.”
This is what one gets for peacefully protesting. No criticism of the govt or The Army chief otherwise we can’t meet imran khan
Khan’s aide, Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, criticized the information minister’s announcement.
“This is what one gets for peacefully protesting,” Bukhari said in a text message shared with media. “No criticism of the govt or the army chief otherwise we can’t meet Imran Khan.”
Khan, who has been jailed on a slew of charges since August 2023, denies any wrongdoing and says cases against him are politically motivated to keep him and his party away from power. Pakistan’s government rejects the PTI’s claims he is being denied basic human rights in prison.
Ousted from the prime minister’s office via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, Khan and his party have long campaigned against the military and government. He has accused the generals of ousting him together with his rivals. Khan’s opponents deny this, while the military says it does not meddle in politics.
