Pakistan has recently been rocked by two separate bus accidents that have claimed the lives of at least 34 people. The first incident in Balochistan province saw 12 people lose their lives when a bus carrying Shia pilgrims returning from Iran veered off the road. Thirteen others were critically injured in that crash. In a second accident in Punjab province, a bus carrying 25 passengers, including six women and a child, crashed, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and leaving one critically injured. The Interior Ministry reported 29 deaths in the second accident, citing failed brakes as the cause.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed their sadness over the accidents, which are not uncommon in a country where road accidents are a major issue due to poor infrastructure and reckless driving. On average, Pakistan sees 9,000 road accidents a year, resulting in over 5,000 deaths. Earlier in the week, a bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims in central Iran overturned, killing 28 and injuring 23. The passengers were headed to Iraq for the Arbaeen commemoration, a significant event for Shia Muslims.
These tragedies highlight the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and vehicle maintenance in Pakistan to prevent further loss of life in road accidents. The government has a responsibility to prioritize road safety measures to ensure the safety of all citizens and prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
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