Loss of aides in accident: PM Abbasi’s constituency to bear the brunt

Political activities and development work in Murree to suffer

ISLAMABAD: The loss of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s two closest aides in a deadly car accident is being dubbed by certain quarters as a huge setback for the premier regarding political activities and development work in his home constituency.

The accident in which two persons were killed and three critically wounded took place in Murree on Thursday night. The deceased were identified as PML-N leaders of Murree, MD Ijaz Abbasi and Gulzar Abbasi, while the injured one as Abid Abbasi.

Sources in the PML-N told The Express Tribune that since Abbasi assumed charge as prime minister, he particularly assigned his three key aides the task to oversee development work and political activities in Murree, while working under his direct command.



“He [Premier Abbasi] depended on these three men as he was no longer able to spare time to take care of his home constituency after becoming the premier. He had to rely on his trusted men, who were looking after the political and development affairs on his behalf,” an N-Leaguer said.

“This is a huge setback since the premier will now have to find substitutes to the confidantes he lost in the accident, which is a difficult task — given that the deceased leaders enjoyed the PM’s complete trust and confidence built over years of association,” the insider said.

Sources said prior to leaving for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, the premier had summoned senior leaders of the party’s Murree chapter and directed them to personally visit Khanaspur, a hilly resort near Murree, to solve an issue related to water supply.

Following the PM’s instructions, the victims of the deadly car accident had visited Khanaspur and were on their way back to Dewal in Murree when their jeep lost control and went off the road to plunge into a ravine.



All the five people sustained serious injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital where Ijaz and Gulzar were pronounced dead. Abid and the other two injured are currently hospitalised at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, where their condition is said to be critical.

Ijaz was the chairman of the Union Council in Dewal, PM Abbasi’s native village; Gulzar was in charge of development projects in Murree; and Abid is PML-N’s former nazim in Murree and is regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the area.

Sources said if Abid survived, it might take him a long time to fully recover from the injuries.

Meanwhile, PM Abbasi will land in London to meet party supremo Nawaz Sharif after attending the UNGA session in New York, according to party insiders.