SWABI: A memorial was built for 13-year-old Iqtidar Khan, who was martyred in Swabi police station blasts on September 26.

The parents of the teenager, a student of 6th grade, wanted him to learn the holy Quran by heart. However, his sudden death in a series of blasts shattered their dream.

His father Ikram Ali and grandfather Nameer Babu told Dawn on Thursday that they along with Iqtidar went to irrigation department mosque, situated near police station. They left for their home after Isha prayers just a minute earlier and a series of blasts in the city police station led to collapsing of the mosque wall, resulting in his death.

His relatives met Asad Qaiser, former speaker of National Assembly, Aqibullah, provincial irrigation minister, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Swabi tehsil president Jehanzeb Khan, Babar Salim, former MPA, Gul Zamin Shah, a leading philanthropist, Attaullah Khan, tehsil Swabi chairman, and deputy commissioner and urged them to build a memorial for him.

Nameer Babu said that it was not yet clear whether the police station blasts caused by short-circuit when about 800kg explosive caught fire or it was an act of terrorism. He said that despite passing of two months, the joint investigation team report was still awaited to determine, hoping that it will be completed soon.

His family’s only desire was that Iqtidar name should be included in Shuhada package by the government. “Our struggle continues unabated but we have not yet succeeded,” said Nameer Babu.

FIRE: The wild grass fire, which broke out on Thursday in Shahmansoor town, has posed a grave threat to people.

Locals said that officials of Swabi Development Authority failed to take any action, forcing them to take steps for putting out the fire, which was spreading to their houses.

Abid Ali, a local, told Dawn that officials of SDA were repeatedly called but they did not visit the area.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024