The memory remains: Tears, anguished memories and suffering that wouldn’t end

Relatives of the victims visit the Margalla hills where the Islamabad-bound flight met its end.


Obaid Abbasi July 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


Tears rolled down their cheeks as the sight of the green hills reminded a group of visitors about their loved ones. They stayed there for two hours, reminiscing about the times they spent with their relatives, not with them anymore.


It has been a year since the fateful flight of Airblue, ED-202, crashed into Margalla Hills, killing all 152 people onboard.

To mark the first anniversary of the accident, relatives of the victims on Thursday gathered at the site where the Islamabad-bound flight met its end. They arrived in Islamabad at 2pm from different areas of the country. They had been brought through a special flight of Airblue and they visited the monument at Margalla Hills which was constructed last year to pay tribute to the victims of the crash.

Saad Saleem, who had come from Karachi, is the son of Muhammad Saleem who was among the 152 passengers.

“Not a single day of my life has gone by when I haven’t thought about dad,” he said, unable to control his tears.

The mother of Sapna Munawar, an air hostess on board the plane, said, “July 28, 2010 was the worst day of my life.”

The pain of their loss is already huge, but the relatives of the victims have serious concerns over the government’s resolve in investigating the cause of the crash — the report probing the incident is yet to be made public.

“I am surprised to see the dubious attitude of the government, why isn’t it making the report public,” said Haris Ahmed.

From there these people were then taken to the H-11 graveyard, where most of the victims have been buried. There they showered petals on the graves of the victims and prayed.

Later a Quran Khwani was also held and followed by special prayers for the departed souls. “I remember the day when I lost my mother — after her death I lost everything,” said Haris Lodhi, as he sat in front of her grave.

Former Member National Assembly Marvi Memon and Junaid Hamid Convener Airblue Crash Affected Group accompanied the relatives.

Echoing the concerns of these people, Memon expressed disappointment in the government for not making the report public.

“This was a big incident that happened in the capital and the government should make the report public.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2011.

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