Nawaz, Maryam visit family of kite twine victim in Faisalabad

LAHORE/ FAISALABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reached Railway Housing Colony Samanabad here on Monday to express condolences and sympathies with the grieving family of a young man Asif Ashfaq, who died the other day when his throat was slit by a kite string.

CM Maryam Nawaz shared a poignant moment as she embraced victim’s grieving mother. Overwhelmed with emotion, she tearfully said, “Asif was to get married”, echoing the deep sorrow felt by the family. Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif also offered condolences to Asif Ashfaq’s father Muhammad Ashfaq and other family members. The brother and father of the victim said, “Our Asif is gone, don’t let anyone else’s Asif go.”

Reflecting on the tragedy, Nawaz Sharif urged unity to prevent such incidents in future, emphasising the need to abstain from watching horrifying videos and collectively combatting this form of crime. Acknowledging the pain of loss, Maryam Nawaz, speaking as a mother, empathised with the profound anguish Asif Ashfaq’s family is enduring, stating, “I am a mother and understand a mother’s pain.”

Addressing the societal implications of the incident, the CM emphasised that the tragic death served as a poignant moment of reflection for the entire community. She denounced kite flying as a perilous activity, stressing that it had transformed from a form of entertainment into a deadly game. She urged parents to discourage their children from engaging in kite flying, underlining the importance of fulfilling their social duty in preventing such tragedies. In a decisive stance against those accountable for the incident, Maryam affirmed that strict legal measures would be taken against individuals involved in manufacturing, selling, and purchase of metallic strings used in kite flying.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar disclosed that arrests had been made in connection with the incident. He said buyers, sellers and makers of string had been traced. The IGP claimed that the string was being supplied in Punjab from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pervez Rashid, MPAs, PMLN leaders, chief secretary among others were also present during the Punjab CM visit. Later on, CM Maryam Nawaz met relatives of WASA employees Asif Masih and Shaan Masih, who died while cleaning a sewage line. She offered condolences and distributed cheques of Rs500,000 each to families of the two ill-fated WASA workers.

Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and discussed with him country’s economic issues. “Together we will steer Pakistan out of economic crisis,” she told the minister.

Aurangzeb congratulated CM Maryam Nawaz on assuming the charge of her office, and declared her election as country’s first female chief minister a milestone in the democratic history of Pakistan. He hailed the CM’s initiatives for welfare of people. The CM thanked the finance minister for the good words. She also congratulated him on assuming charge as the finance minister.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Mehmet Pacaci called on CM Maryam Nawaz and PMLN Quaid Nawaz Sharif to discuss issues of mutual interest and increase in cooperation in various fields.

Nawaz Sharif said, “The people of Pakistan and Turkiye are bound with each other in the relationship of Islamic brotherhood.” Maryam said, “Pakistan and Turkiye want to increase cooperation in commercial, economic and other fields.” She said: “There are vast investment opportunities in Punjab in housing, tourism, solar energy, health, education, vocational training and other sectors.” Turkish investors should take advantage of these investment opportunities, she added. Turkish ambassador said, “Pakistan and Turkiye have historical brotherly relations. Cooperation between the two countries is exemplary.” He promised to help increase cooperation with the Punjab government in various fields.

Also, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz congratulated the Hindu community on the Holi festival. “Happy Holi to Hindu community around the world, especially Pakistan,” she said in her message. The CM said, “The Hindu community is playing a valuable role in economic development of Pakistan. All those living in Pakistan are one, peace will shine in the colours of Holi.”