In a heart-wrenching incident, the staff of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight bound for Skardu from Islamabad overlooked the transportation of a six-year-old boy’s body, while his devastated parents commenced their journey, unaware of the grievous oversight. Dawn reported the distressing tale, highlighting the profound shock and anguish experienced by the parents upon discovering their son’s remains had been inadvertently left behind at Islamabad’s airport, a realization that struck with crushing force upon their arrival at Skardu airport.
Mujtaba, a young resident of Katshi village in the Kharmang district, had been battling a severe illness—a tumor—requiring specialized medical attention beyond his hometown’s capabilities. Initially diagnosed in Skardu, he was subsequently referred to Rawalpindi for treatment, where he underwent care at Benazir Bhutto Hospital for several weeks. Tragically, Mujtaba succumbed to his ailment on Thursday, leaving his grieving parents to confront the painful task of arranging for his final journey home.
With the intention of transporting their beloved son’s body to their native village of Katshi for burial, Mujtaba’s parents opted for a PIA flight departing from Islamabad on Friday, recognizing the impracticality of a grueling 24-hour road journey, particularly in the sweltering heat. They hoped air travel would expedite their return to their community to bid their final farewells to their cherished child.
However, what should have been a solemn and respectful journey descended into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions. Despite meticulously completing all cargo formalities at Islamabad airport, the grief-stricken parents were oblivious to the grave error that occurred amidst a scheduled departure delay, extending their departure until 1 pm. Little did they know, this delay masked the devastating truth awaiting them upon their arrival in Skardu.
As the clock struck 2 pm at Skardu airport, Mujtaba’s parents were confronted with the stark reality of the situation. In a cruel twist of fate, they were informed that their son’s body had been left behind in Islamabad—a revelation that shattered them, plunging them into a state of disbelief and despair. Tears flowed freely as the parents grappled with the magnitude of their loss, their anguished cries echoing through the airport lounge.
Driven by grief and righteous indignation, the boy’s relatives united in protest against the flagrant negligence displayed by the airline management. Their voices rose in unified condemnation, demanding accountability and justice for the unforgivable oversight that deprived them of the chance to bid a proper farewell to their beloved son and brother.
Amidst the chaos, officials from PIA, the Civil Aviation Authority, and other pertinent agencies scrambled to appease the aggrieved family, acknowledging the gravity of their error and pledging swift rectification. Despite assurances and promises of restitution, the wounds inflicted upon Mujtaba’s family remained raw and unhealed.
In the midst of the tumult, Yousaf Kamal, another grieving relative, leveled damning accusations against the airline, suggesting a deliberate act of negligence. Allegations surfaced regarding the flight’s delayed departure, purportedly to accommodate the travel plans of a federal minister, at the expense of Mujtaba’s remains languishing at Islamabad airport, as reported by Dawn.
