A kind word can make all the difference. But droves of politicians visiting Lady Reading Hospital to meet injured children are proving to be more of a nuisance for patients.
Among others, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, Senator Rubina Khalid, Zamrud Khan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai visited the medical facility on Wednesday.
One of the wounded children candidly said he needs medical assistance, not the sympathy of political figures. “Please tell them to stop visiting us. I am already injured and when they ask questions, it adds to the pain,” said eighth grade student Mehran, who suffered bullet wounds in Tuesday’s deadly assault.
He recalled they were gathered inside a hall for a lecture from a colonel when three men stormed in and started firing indiscriminately. “I started running and had just about jumped into some bushes when I felt I was hit.” Mehran added he was rescued by security forces and shifted to LRH.
Another eighth-grader, Fawad Khan, was being treated at the LRH’s intensive care unit (ICU). Waiting outside, his anxious father Haji Imtiaz told The Express Tribune that his boy was hit with three bullets in the back. “We spoke to him, but the doctors then shifted Fawad to the ICU.”
He said Fawad remained in the ICU for 24 hours, but the doctors stated he was out of danger.
Speaking to the media at LRH, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said the participants of an All-Parties Conference (APC) should collectively decide on how to tackle the menace of terrorism. “There are a number of people (politicians) within our ranks who have a soft corner for militants,” he stressed. “The APC should determine who is with us and who is against us,” he added.
Senate Chairman Nayyer Hussain Bukhari said December 16 was a dark day for mankind and the government’s priority should be flushing out militancy from the country. He asserted that the country was at war and the government’s priority should be to eliminate terrorism rather than development. He added the country’s survival depended on ending militancy.
PPP’s Zamrud Khan said the general public should stand against militancy and announce a nationwide war against militants. He added terrorists should be targeted in every street of the country.
LRH officials said most injured people were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), adding 16 persons were currently there. Of these, three are in critical condition.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2014.
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So long ideological sympathy is extended by some section of the society to the extremists the menace i am afraid, will not stop. This ideological sympathy which fills intolerance and hate in the hearts and minds will continue to breed the radicals. Additionally, the army has to finally stop supplying oxygen and food whom they call non state actors which in fact are their proxy.So long there is lust to control ,dominate or bleed and hurt the interests of the neighbours to pursue their covert goal such activities will continue . The only difference will be the soil and the people but not the mourning . The doctrine of non interference and tolerance will help in bring peace.