HAVELI KAHUTA, Pakistan: A devastating accident occurred near the Azad Patan bridge in Azad Kashmir, where a passenger bus traveling from Haveli Kahota to Rawalpindi plunged into a ditch, resulting in the deaths of 29 people and leaving one person injured.
The bus was carrying passengers from the remote Haveli Kahota area when the tragic incident took place.
According to the Commissioner of Rawalkot, rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene, recovering the bodies of 22 victims and transporting the injured and deceased to nearby hospitals. This tragic event adds to the alarming number of road accidents in the region, raising serious concerns about the safety and infrastructure of Azad Kashmir’s transportation system.
This incident is the latest in a series of accidents that have plagued the region. Earlier on the same day, another bus carrying pilgrims from Iran to Pakistan met with a tragic accident, killing 10 people and injuring over 30. Such incidents have become increasingly common in Azad Kashmir, particularly in the Wadi Neelum district, where 40 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents within the past month alone.
The frequent accidents have sparked a debate about the state’s road infrastructure and the performance of the transport department. Transport Minister Javed Butt has pointed fingers at the transport department staff, accusing them of negligence and lack of proper training. He has also criticized the practice of issuing route permits without proper vehicle fitness checks, stating that some officers clear vehicle fitness from a mere 10-foot room without conducting proper inspections.
Moreover, the investigation into these accidents has uncovered significant issues, including system deficiencies, lax enforcement of local laws, inadequate planning, and corruption. Drivers have admitted to converting old loader vehicles into passenger buses due to financial constraints, further compromising safety. Additionally, the poor condition of roads and design flaws during construction have also been cited as major factors contributing to the increasing number of accidents in the region.
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Azad Kashmir’s transport sector, including stricter enforcement of safety regulations, better road infrastructure, and a crackdown on corruption within the transport department. Without these changes, the region is likely to witness more such devastating accidents in the future.
