|
|
|
| July 11, 2006 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 14, 1427 |
Heart-rending scenes at Lahore airport
LAHORE, July 10: Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the Lahore airport after the news of crash of a Fokker in Multan reached here on Monday. Soon after learning the news, some 20 relatives of the crash victims gathered at the airport to seek information about their loved ones. They initially faced problems, as the PIA officials did not have victims’ list
Tears in their eyes, the relatives were hoping against the hope that not all the passengers on board were dead. Failing to cope with the agony, two of the women fell unconscious. However, the Civil Aviation Authority doctors provided them first aid.
“How can I describe my feelings. I do not know what to do. I just want to be in Multan right now to collect my son’s body,” said one Haji Imdad who was on the verge of collapse.
“Don’t ask for our reaction. We are in a state of shock and you are concerned about your coverage,” one Qasim snubbed media teams of two private channels which tried to interview him. He was lamenting the government role for not replacing the fleet of old fokkers. “It is not the first fokker crash. There is always a statement from them (government officials), whenever such an incident occurs, that they are going to dispense with the fleet. But, end of the day one finds them (fokkers) in operation.”
Some 20 passengers of the ill-fated plane had to disembark in Lahore, and as many had to board it from here. It was scheduled for Islamabad in the afternoon. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Asma Jehangir was also among the intending passengers.
The tragic incident had turned the airport atmosphere gloomy, where everybody was watching television to know more about the crash.
The Airport Security Force and police were present to meet any untoward situation.
The officials at the PIA counter informed the victims’ relatives that they would be provided free tickets for Multan. The special flight for Multan was, however, scheduled for 5.30pm. Most of the relatives eager to be there could not wait to avail the facility.
It is learnt that some 15 to 20 victims would be brought to Lahore for burial.
The CAA sources told Dawn that as the ill-fated plane had developed a technical fault a couple of days ago, it should not have been allowed to fly.
Dr Zulifqar Ali Qureishi, who survived a plane crash while traveling from Lahore to Peshawar in 1986, told this reporter that the government had made a similar claim then that all fokkers would be grounded, but did not honour its commitment. “It is tantamount to playing with the lives of people, and neither the government nor the PIA is willing to accept responsibility of the incident.”
Meanwhile, any information about the incident can be sought from the PIA’s phone number 042-9240788 and 042-9240735. The Punjab government also announced two emergency numbers — 061-9200238 and 061-920042—for any query regarding passengers and crew of the plane.
However, when contacted on 061-9200042, the official there asked this reporter to contact 061-92008231-7 for such information.
|
|
|
|
