A file photo of former PML-N senator Taj Afridi. — SENATE WEBSITE
Former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senator Taj Afridi passed away in a road accident on the M-1 motorway near the Colonel Sher Khan Interchange on Friday, according to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP).
A statement from the NHMP said Afridi was commuting from Islamabad to Peshawar in a car along with his driver when the vehicle reportedly developed a mechanical fault and veered off the motorway.
The crash resulted in severe injuries to the PML-N leader, claiming his life, though his driver only sustained minor injuries in the incident, the statement further said.
“The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle due to a sudden malfunction, causing it to plunge into the roadside rainwater drainage channel,” an NHMP official told The Express Tribune.
Motorway police and rescue teams immediately arrived at the scene of the accident and provided primary care to the victims. Despite medical aid, the senator passed away on the spot, after which his body was taken to the hospital.
Motorway police said that preliminary findings suggested the accident occurred due to an abrupt mechanical fault in the vehicle, and a probe was underway to ascertain the exact causes.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed grief over the death and extended his condolences to Afridi’s family.
He said Afridi’s parliamentary, political and public services would always be remembered.
“The passing of the former senator is a significant loss for the nation as well as parliamentary circles,” Gilani said, adding that Afridi played an important role in promoting public welfare in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, strengthening democratic values and contributing to the legislative process.
“Taj Muhammad Afridi’s dedication to public service, political wisdom, and efforts to uphold parliamentary traditions remained highly commendable.”
Gilani further said that the nation lost a “sincere, dignified and people-oriented political figure whose contributions will continue to be acknowledged with respect and appreciation”.
Swat motorway crash near Katlang claims lives of NHMP official, girl
Separately, a motorway police official and a young girl passed away in a traffic accident near Katlang on the Swat Expressway, an NHMP spokesperson told The Express Tribune on Friday.
According to the motorway police, Sub Inspectors Nizamuddin and Akbar Ali were on speed limit enforcement duties when a speeding car struck them, resulting in the former’s death. Another official responsible for collecting fines was also injured in the accident.
The two wounded NHMP officials were receiving tertiary care in the Mardan Medical Complex (MMC).
The crash also claimed the life of a young girl who was travelling with her parents in the car that allegedly hit the vehicle of the NHMP. The parents of the deceased were transferred to MMC for immediate medical care.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by the motorway police, the crash was caused by the car driver’s reckless driving and speeding.
