Unfulfilled promises: Injured APS student’s father complains of govt apathy

Muhammad Nawaz says his son has become a source of point-scoring between governments

PESHAWAR: The father of an injured student of Army Public School is bitter about the different treatment meted out by the government in the case of his son and that of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

“Both were shot by militants and both sustained injuries. But one was flown in an air ambulance within hours while my son has become a source of point-scoring for the federal and provincial governments,” said Muhammad Nawaz, father of Ahmad Nawaz, who was injured when militants stormed Army Public School on December 16 last year, killing 150 people, of whom most were children.

Ahmad, 15, is a student of grade nine. He was injured and subsequently rushed to the hospital while his younger brother Haris Nawaz, 14, was not fortunate enough to escape the brazen attack alive.

Ahmad is admitted at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where doctors have advised his parents to shift him to another facility as the injuries on his arm cannot be treated at LRH and there is a fear that Ahmad might lose his limb.

The provincial government has announced a sum of Rs3.5 million for Ahmad’s treatment in England, while the federal government has also announced to shift him to any other hospital in the world. Though this gave hope to Ahmad’s parents initially, they now feel the announcements have been mere lip service. Eleven days after the announcements, Ahmad is still at LRH. The student’s father, who was among those who protested against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan when he visited the school after its reopening, is now running from pillar to post to save his son’s arm.

“Both (Malala and Ahmad) are victims of terror attacks. But my son is still crying for help,” he told The Express Tribune, adding he has also already lost a son and doesn’t have the courage to see another one incapacitated.

“He (Ahmad) wakes up after every two hours and starts crying from the pain, but the only thing doctors at LRH do is give him painkillers,” complained Muhammad Nawaz. “My son has dreams just like other children. He has a career to make and I will not let these politicians ruin his dreams.”

Muhammad said he has been in contact with the relevant officials and keeps inquiring about his son’s case. But he is slowly losing hope as he gets the same response each passing day: “The case is being processed.”

Insiders at the Chief Minister House maintained there was a huge difference in the cases of Malala and Ahmad, referring to them “hot and cold” in medicinal terms. “Had the army been pursuing Ahmad’s case, he would have been flown to England soon after the referral from LRH doctors,” said one official.

“In such cases, you have to take an appointment from the doctor as well as the hospital in England. Once you make the appointments, the visa is then processed.”

Sources said the chief minister has directed Minister for Health Shahram Tarakai to immediately seek an appointment from the doctor and hospital in England. Secretary Health Mushtaq Jadoon, however, said the provincial government has approved a summary for the tentative cost of Ahmad’s treatment, which is available at Aga Khan Hospital.

“Muhammad Nawaz knows his son can be treated at Aga Khan Hospital, but he is reluctant,” claimed Jadoon. “[Still] we have approached the Prime Minister’s Secretariat for assistance in the visa process,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2015.