Forgotten: Critically injured PTI supporter gets no love from party
Boy was injured when bus carrying PTI protesters overturned near Shakarparian Chowk on August 14.
ISLAMABAD:
Coming to Islamabad for a ‘Naya Pakistan’ with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally from Lahore, Sajid Hussain has been battling for life in an intensive care unit at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
Hussain suffered injuries when a bus carrying PTI marchers from Lahore turned over near Shakarparian Chowk. Hussain’s uncle Sajid Jehangir, 35, was among the two who died in the accident. His cousin Ali Raza, 21, was also seriously injured. Raza has now has been shifted to Lahore.
The 21-year-old Hussain is a resident of Punjab Society, Bandya Wala Pul, Lahore. A plumber by profession, he is a son of a retired school teacher who cannot come to see him due to his own poor health.
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Javed Akram said Hussain underwent a five-hour surgery after his stomach, large intestine, spleen and liver were severely damaged in the accident. His both legs have also been fractured. “We are making best efforts to save him.”
“On Sunday, the doctor told me to call mother to Islamabad to see him because his condition was serious,” said his elder brother Sabir Hussain.
No PTI official has visited Hussain. He has not received even a ‘get well soon’ message from the party he had come to support. PTI President Javed Hashmi is admitted a few yards from Hussain. Party office bearers visit Hashmi every day. But still, the family’s support for Imran Khan is unflinching.
“Hussain belongs to a poor family. That is why he is ignored by the party which had brought him to Islamabad. Had he been born into a wealthy family they would have come to enquire about his health too,” said Zaryak Baig, a well-wisher of Hussian who is living with his family in the hospital. “The party has not announced financial assistance for the family.”
“We get food from the hospital cafeteria and spend night on the floor outside the surgical ICU. We have no other place to go to,” said Sabir Hussian.
The boy’s mother Sajida Parveen said, “I tried to stop him from going with the ‘Azadi March’ but he did not listen to me. He was very enthusiastic.”
She recalled that before leaving for Islamabad Hussain’s last sentence was, “I am going to support my leader to create a ‘Naya Pakistan’. For that, I might have to stay there for a week or a month, but you do not worry. I will be back.”
On Tuesday, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique , Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar, MQM’s parliamentary leader in the Senate Babar Ghauri, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad and Shireen Mizari of PTI visited Javaid Hashmi who has been admitted to Pims.
According to Pims spokesperson Dr Ayesha Eshani, Hashmi’s health is improving. His blood test reports are clear. Hashmi had left the hospital in the afternoon to attend a party meeting, to be back late night.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2014.
Coming to Islamabad for a ‘Naya Pakistan’ with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally from Lahore, Sajid Hussain has been battling for life in an intensive care unit at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).
Hussain suffered injuries when a bus carrying PTI marchers from Lahore turned over near Shakarparian Chowk. Hussain’s uncle Sajid Jehangir, 35, was among the two who died in the accident. His cousin Ali Raza, 21, was also seriously injured. Raza has now has been shifted to Lahore.
The 21-year-old Hussain is a resident of Punjab Society, Bandya Wala Pul, Lahore. A plumber by profession, he is a son of a retired school teacher who cannot come to see him due to his own poor health.
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof Javed Akram said Hussain underwent a five-hour surgery after his stomach, large intestine, spleen and liver were severely damaged in the accident. His both legs have also been fractured. “We are making best efforts to save him.”
“On Sunday, the doctor told me to call mother to Islamabad to see him because his condition was serious,” said his elder brother Sabir Hussain.
No PTI official has visited Hussain. He has not received even a ‘get well soon’ message from the party he had come to support. PTI President Javed Hashmi is admitted a few yards from Hussain. Party office bearers visit Hashmi every day. But still, the family’s support for Imran Khan is unflinching.
“Hussain belongs to a poor family. That is why he is ignored by the party which had brought him to Islamabad. Had he been born into a wealthy family they would have come to enquire about his health too,” said Zaryak Baig, a well-wisher of Hussian who is living with his family in the hospital. “The party has not announced financial assistance for the family.”
“We get food from the hospital cafeteria and spend night on the floor outside the surgical ICU. We have no other place to go to,” said Sabir Hussian.
The boy’s mother Sajida Parveen said, “I tried to stop him from going with the ‘Azadi March’ but he did not listen to me. He was very enthusiastic.”
She recalled that before leaving for Islamabad Hussain’s last sentence was, “I am going to support my leader to create a ‘Naya Pakistan’. For that, I might have to stay there for a week or a month, but you do not worry. I will be back.”
On Tuesday, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique , Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar, MQM’s parliamentary leader in the Senate Babar Ghauri, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad and Shireen Mizari of PTI visited Javaid Hashmi who has been admitted to Pims.
According to Pims spokesperson Dr Ayesha Eshani, Hashmi’s health is improving. His blood test reports are clear. Hashmi had left the hospital in the afternoon to attend a party meeting, to be back late night.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2014.