Failure in retrieving bodies of Pakistani pilgrims who lost their lives in Mina stampede is highly condemnable
KARACHI: The failure of the Pakistani embassy in Saudi Arabia in retrieving and sending the bodies of Pakistani pilgrims who lost their lives in the Mina stampede is highly condemnable. It is a confirmation of the stereotype that our authorities are oftentimes incompetent at handling emergencies.
Similarly, the officials of the Hajj directorate who are sent to Saudi Arabia each year at government expenses, tasked with the job to help and guide pilgrims during emergency situations, could not even find access to hospitals and morgues to identify the injured and dead bodies. The Saudi authorities are reported to have buried the corpses in collective graves, depriving near and dear ones of the death in Pakistan of having a last look at their dead family member. The ministry of religious affairs is requested to take up this matter with the Saudi authorities and demand compensation on behalf of each bereaved family.
Hassan Afzaal
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2015.
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