Road crash victims remembered through poetry

Speakers say traffic accidents are weakening foundations of our social and economic systems

MULTAN: The first ever international poetry recital on road safety was organised to express solidarity with those who lost their lives in road accidents. The event was held at Multan Tea House on Monday and organised with the collaboration of traffic police and Care and Cure, a non-governmental organisation.

Over 40 poets and poetesses from all over Punjab recited their poetry in the event. They shared the grief of families, who had lost their loved ones in road accidents.



The poets highlighted the importance of human lives through their collections. People from all walks of life attended the event.

On the occasion, Rescue 1122 official disclosed that in 2016, 10 people died daily in road accidents across Punjab. He added the number had increased to 11 in 2017.

Care and Cure director Abdul Ali Khan said that the number of people dying or being injured had been increasing day by day. He said that traffic accidents are weakening the foundations of our civil, social and economic systems. He said that the purpose of organising this event was to increase awareness about traffic rules.

Ashhar Hassan Kamran recited an emotional poem and paid tribute to a boy who had lost his life in a road crash leaving his parents in grief. He gave a message to all parents to educate their children about traffic rules.

He added that a great responsibility lies on the shoulders of parents who allow under-age children to drive.



Poetess Humaira Dua recited a poem “Raastoun Kay Dukh”. She highlighted the apathy of those drivers who do not take care for others when driving.

Asif Niaz, a poet from Lahore, shared his poetry on the importance of traffic rules. Through his poetry, he gave a message not to violate traffic rules for the safety of human lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2018.