Tragic Road Accident in DHA Claims Lives of Rukhsana Bibi, Husnain, Ayesha, Sajjad, Huzaifa, and Anaya

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Six Family Members in Lahore’s DHA

Lahore, Pakistan – In a heart-wrenching incident, six members of a family, including two young children, lost their lives in a fatal road accident that occurred in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area. The devastating incident unfolded when a car driven by a teenage boy, speeding recklessly, collided with the family’s vehicle as they were returning home after a visit to their relatives.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Rukhsana Bibi (45), her son Husnain (25), daughter-in-law Ayesha (23), her son-in-law Sajjad (30), four-month-old grandson Huzaifa, and her granddaughter Anaya (4). The incident has left the entire community in shock and mourning.

Following the tragic accident, the head of the family, Rafaqat Ali, who was traveling in a separate car at the time, lodged a complaint with the police, leading to the registration of a case against the suspected car driver, Afnan Shafqat. Eyewitnesses described the accident as horrifying, with the family’s car flipping multiple times upon impact from Afnan’s speeding vehicle.

Rafaqat, while providing his statement to the police, revealed that they were returning from his son’s in-laws’ residence, accompanied by other family members in two separate cars. As they approached DHA Phase VII, an out-of-control car driven by Afnan collided with the vehicle carrying six members of Rafaqat’s family, including his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and their two young children. The force of the collision caused their car to overturn several times, causing extensive damage.

In a devastating turn of events, Rafaqat and his relatives discovered their six family members in a pool of blood. Despite their immediate efforts and a swift transfer to the hospital, most of the victims succumbed to their injuries on the spot or shortly thereafter. The loss has left the family shattered and the entire community grieving.

Law enforcement authorities promptly arrested Afnan Shafqat at the accident site and subsequently included him as the primary suspect in the First Information Report (FIR). This incident has now raised concerns regarding the reckless behavior of young men who frequently gather on major roads, particularly in DHA, to perform dangerous stunts with their cars and motorcycles. These individuals, hailing mostly from affluent families within the DHA, drive recklessly, endangering the lives of innocent commuters.

The dangerous practice of driving cars and bikes in groups, engaging in risky stunts, has gone unnoticed for several years. Authorities must now address this issue with urgency to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety of all road users.

With the tragic incident leaving an indelible mark on the community, the authorities are urged to take strict measures to curb reckless driving practices and enforce stringent penalties for those who engage in such dangerous behavior. The loss of six innocent lives serves as a painful reminder that road safety is a collective responsibility that must never be taken lightly.

The devastating accident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences to the bereaved family. The entire city mourns the loss of these precious lives and hopes that such tragedies can be prevented in the future through effective measures and awareness campaigns.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023.