Mina Stampede: Family confirms doctor’s death

SHANGLA: The family of Dr Haider Ali, a resident of Alocha, Shangla, confirmed his death in the tragic Hajj stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia last week. Muhammad Wazir, the uncle of the deceased pilgrim, said on Tuesday 29-year-old Haider Ali left for Hajj with a group of doctors. He added the family spoke to him some 20 minutes before the incident. After the stampede, his phone was on but nobody was answering. Wazir added the phone was finally picked up by an unidentified woman who said Haider was taken to the hospital. The family started a search for the doctor at hospitals but were unable to locate him. Finally, his body was located and the family came to know of his untimely demise. Haider’s uncle urged the government to bring Haider’s body to Pakistan and also complained that authorities were not cooperating with the grieving families.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.