Pakistan: Flight departs without deceased boy's body due to negligence
In a deeply distressing event, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight left Islamabad for Skardu without the body of a six-year-old boy on board due to negligence. The child's parents, who were passengers on the flight, were unaware that their son's remains had not been loaded onto the plane. The boy, named Mujtaba, from Katshi village in Kharmang district, had recently succumbed to a severe illness.
Parents unaware of tragic oversight until arrival in Skardu
Mujtaba's parents had planned to fly their son's body back to their village for burial because a 24-hour road trip was impractical owing to the heat. They arrived at Islamabad airport early Friday morning and completed all necessary cargo formalities for their son's remains as per standard operating procedures and airline guidelines. However, due to an error by the airline staff, Mujtaba's body was left behind. The family discovered this heartbreaking mistake upon their arrival at Skardu airport at 2:00pm.
Boy diagnosed with a tumor
According to Dawn, doctors referred the boy to Rawalpindi for treatment after he was diagnosed with a tumor at a hospital in Skardu a month ago. After being brought to Rawalpindi by his mother and father, Muhammad Askari, he spent weeks receiving care at Benazir Bhutto Hospital. On Thursday, Mujtaba passed away in the hospital.
Family and relatives protest against PIA's negligence
Upon learning of the oversight, Mujtaba's relatives united in protest against the negligence displayed by the airline management. They demanded accountability and justice for this unforgivable error that deprived them of bidding a proper farewell to Mujtaba. Amidst the chaos, officials from PIA, the Civil Aviation Authority, and other pertinent agencies scrambled to placate the aggrieved family and vowed to rectify the situation without delay.
