———– CM Murad announced that each family of the deceased will receive Rs5m, while each injured person will receive Rs 1m
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced financial assistance for the families of those killed and injured in the Iran bus accident.
On Friday, Murad, following the directives of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, announced that each family of the deceased will receive Rs5 million, while each injured person will receive Rs1 million.
At least 32 Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq to attend Arbaeen or Chelum of Hazrat Hussain (RA) were killed as their bus crashed in central Iran, state media reported early Wednesday. The chief minister stated that the Sindh government, under Bilawal Bhutto’s guidance, has made complete arrangements to bring back the deceased pilgrims. The remains of Pakistani pilgrims who died in a bus accident were flown to Sukkur today on a special flight.
Murad also assured that all reports regarding the arrangements and compensation will be promptly submitted to Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. Provincial Minister Nasir Shah conveyed a message to the families of the deceased earlier, assuring them that the Sindh government has arranged air ambulances and other ambulances in Sukkur and Jacobabad.
He promised timely communication regarding the aircraft’s landing and the transportation of the victims.
He further added that if any of the injured need to be transferred to Karachi, an air ambulance has been arranged. The Sindh government will ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment, urging the families to remain calm. The Chief Minister also directed the district administration to maintain close cooperation and communication with the families of the deceased and injured.
Earlier, Two senior figures from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) appear to be at odds over the law and order situation in the Sukkur and Larkana divisions of Sindh. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in Bhit Shah, Matiari district on Thursday, has disagreed with the critical assessment made by Matiari-based PPP MNA Makhdoom Jameel uz Zaman.
“I respect Zaman, but I differ with his opinion,” Shah stated when asked to comment on the MNA’s remarks during a media briefing. He claimed that law and order have improved in the two divisions compared to the deteriorating situation during the interim government. “The situation has been much better since February,” Shah added. He noted that the frequency of kidnappings has decreased, though bandits are now targeting poorer individuals. Shah maintained that the attacks on police in Sukkur and Larkana divisions indicate that law enforcement is actively combating dacoits.
He also asserted that the law and order situation is improving in Karachi, where street crimes had previously instilled fear among residents. Shah reiterated that the PPP’s Sindh government is committed to eradicating dacoits in the katcha areas and is seeking assistance from the army and rangers.
In a swift rebuttal to the Chief Minister’s statements, Zaman told the media in Matiari that he would advise Shah to visit some parts of the two divisions without security for a firsthand understanding of the situation. “He would then realize how safe the people of those areas feel,” Zaman said.
He criticized the rampant robberies, snatching, and abductions in some districts of Larkana and Sukkur divisions, claiming that people are too fearful to travel at night. Zaman added that this was the reason he had appealed to Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir for intervention.
Zaman also remarked that the PPP has become increasingly confined to Sindh. “If the performance of our leaders continues to be such, the party will shrink further to just Larkana and Matiari.”
