Nawaz shortens UK trip, flies back home
The prime minister is expected to visit Bahawalpur, offering condolences to the bereaved families
REUTERS/Caren Firouz
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will immediately return to the country, cutting short his UK trip following the tragic incident in district Bahawalpur, a statement issued by the PM Office said on Sunday.
At least 130 people, including women and children, were killed after an overturned oil tanker caught fire on a highway near Ahmedpur Sharqia.
According to the statement, the PM decided to call off all his engagements in London.
The prime minister is expected to visit Bahawalpur, offering condolences to the bereaved families, as soon as he returns to Pakistan.
Over 125 killed, 200 injured in Bahawalpur oil tanker fire
In London, PM Sharif was expected to undergo a medical check-up, besides attending the graduation ceremony of his grandson and other political engagements with leaders of PML-N UK.
He arrived in London on Saturday after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday the PM offered Eid prayers in a mosque in Central London.
Earlier, opposition parties criticised the PM for being abroad while the country was hit by multiple terrorist attacks on Friday in Parachinar, Quetta and Karachi, cumulatively claiming the lives of more than 77 persons.
However, back to back incidents of terrorism coupled with Sunday’s incident forced the PM to cut short his trip.
This would be the second time the PM would be celebrating Eidul Fitr in Pakistan over the last five years.
The first time the prime minister celebrated Eid in Pakistan was in 2013, but in 2014, 2015, and 2016 he celebrated Eids in London and Saudi Arabia.
JIT accountability is a farce, says PM Nawaz
This year too he celebrated Eid in London, but will be in Pakistan on Eid day.
In 2014 and 2015, the PM celebrated Eidul Fitr in Saudi Arabia. Last year and this year, he celebrated Eidul Fitr in London.
In separate messages, the PM Sharif stated that the Friday terrorist incidents and Bahawalpur episode had saddened the whole nation.
He appealed the nation to pray for the departed souls and for the early recovery of the injured.
According to the statement, the PM had contacted Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and directed him to personally oversee all rescue and relief activities.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will immediately return to the country, cutting short his UK trip following the tragic incident in district Bahawalpur, a statement issued by the PM Office said on Sunday.
At least 130 people, including women and children, were killed after an overturned oil tanker caught fire on a highway near Ahmedpur Sharqia.
According to the statement, the PM decided to call off all his engagements in London.
The prime minister is expected to visit Bahawalpur, offering condolences to the bereaved families, as soon as he returns to Pakistan.
Over 125 killed, 200 injured in Bahawalpur oil tanker fire
In London, PM Sharif was expected to undergo a medical check-up, besides attending the graduation ceremony of his grandson and other political engagements with leaders of PML-N UK.
He arrived in London on Saturday after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday the PM offered Eid prayers in a mosque in Central London.
Earlier, opposition parties criticised the PM for being abroad while the country was hit by multiple terrorist attacks on Friday in Parachinar, Quetta and Karachi, cumulatively claiming the lives of more than 77 persons.
However, back to back incidents of terrorism coupled with Sunday’s incident forced the PM to cut short his trip.
This would be the second time the PM would be celebrating Eidul Fitr in Pakistan over the last five years.
The first time the prime minister celebrated Eid in Pakistan was in 2013, but in 2014, 2015, and 2016 he celebrated Eids in London and Saudi Arabia.
JIT accountability is a farce, says PM Nawaz
This year too he celebrated Eid in London, but will be in Pakistan on Eid day.
In 2014 and 2015, the PM celebrated Eidul Fitr in Saudi Arabia. Last year and this year, he celebrated Eidul Fitr in London.
In separate messages, the PM Sharif stated that the Friday terrorist incidents and Bahawalpur episode had saddened the whole nation.
He appealed the nation to pray for the departed souls and for the early recovery of the injured.
According to the statement, the PM had contacted Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and directed him to personally oversee all rescue and relief activities.