PM Shehbaz invites heroic tanker driver to Islamabad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed that the heroic oil tanker driver, Muhammad Faisal, who drove a burning tanker away from a populated area to save lives, be invited to Islamabad and awarded a prize.

“No appreciation is sufficient to praise this spirit of saving the lives of thousands of people whilst risking his own life,” the premier said. PM Shehbaz further directed Head of Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi to telephone the driver.

On behalf of the premier, Salman Sufi paid tributes to Faisal for his courage.

Balochistan CM announces Rs0.5m reward

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo also announced Rs0.5 million reward for the driver for his bravery and for saving precious human lives.

Bizenjo appreciated the driver for his courage and bravery and announced a special reward for him, a statement issued by the Press Secretary of CM Balochistan said.

The Prime Minister's Secretariat in Islamabad contacted the driver and conveyed the appreciation message of the Premier. Salman Sufi, the head of Prime Minister's Strategic Reforms took to the social media network Twitter and confirmed his contact with the brave driver.

“Very soon, the driver would be in Islamabad,” Sufi mentioned. He said the Chief Minister of Balochistan has already announced the reward for him and a government job would also be announced for him as per his qualification by the government of Balochistan.

Former chief ministers of Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, and Jam Kamal Khan also took to Twitter and appreciated the bravery of the driver in saving human lives.

The driver should be given a reward and encouraged by the government, the two chief ministers demanded in their separate tweets.

On Wednesday, Faisal drove a burning tanker away from a populated area on the provincial capital’s Qambrani Road to save lives.

In what seemed like a scene from a movie, Faisal drove off his vehicle when it caught fire at a petrol pump.

“I thought now the oil tanker will explode and I will die,” Faisal said as the video of him driving went viral on media.

Recalling the horrifying moments, he said: “When I saw the fire I rushed to drive away despite the roaring flames.”

As the people saw thick black smoke rising from the tanker and flames, they pleaded with the driver to stop the vehicle.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2022.