Waiting in queue: Locals protest demise of elder in ambulance

Vehicle was waiting to be cleared by Khyber Rifles

JAMRUD: Locals took to the streets on Friday against the political agent of Khyber Agency and the assistant political agent of Jamrud over the demise of an elder who died in an ambulance on Torkham-Peshawar road on Thursday evening. The ambulance was stuck on the road for over 15 hours as it was waiting to get cleared by Khyber Rifles personnel.

The protesters shouted slogans against the political administration officials of Khyber Agency and blocked the Torkham-Peshawar road near Shaheed check post for over two hours in the morning.  They demanded action should be taken against the Khyber Rifles officers who do not let patients go to hospitals without waiting in lines for hours, Ali Shinwari, a relative of the deceased, told the media on the occasion.

However, Khyber Rifles officials issued a statement condemning the demise of the tribal elder and ordered an enquiry into the matter. This was stated in a press release.

“The Afghan nationals, who come to Pakistan without valid documents, are checked on this point,” the press release stated. “That is why tribal maliks and locals are requested to cooperate with the forces in this regard.”

However, a jirga was held on Friday between elders of Jamrud and Khyber Rifles officers where it was decided the patients’ vehicles will be allowed to pass without having to wait in queues for hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.