Survivor waited five hours for help

The family of businessman Ali Murtaza, who was killed in a firing incident in Balochistan's Dasht area, has shared heartbreaking details of the tragedy, claiming that the injured survivors remained stranded for nearly five hours before help arrived.

Karachi: The family of businessman Ali Murtaza, who was killed in a firing incident in Balochistan’s Dasht area, has shared heartbreaking details of the tragedy, claiming that the injured survivors remained stranded for nearly five hours before help arrived. The family has appealed to the authorities to ensure justice and improve security on highways to prevent similar incidents.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi alongside representatives of the Karachi Mobile and Electronics Dealers Association, Ali Murtaza’s father, Jameel, said his daughter-in-law survived despite suffering five bullet wounds. According to him, she remained at the scene with her husband’s body and two young daughters throughout the night, waiting for assistance.

Jameel said his injured daughter-in-law repeatedly instructed her daughter that if anything happened to her, she should continue calling her aunt for help. He added that after several hours without rescue, she even began dictating her final wishes, fearing that she might not survive her injuries.

Recalling his last conversation with his son, Jameel said he had advised Ali Murtaza not to travel to Quetta, but he proceeded with the trip. The family remained in contact until shortly before his return journey. Later that night, they received a distress call informing them that an attack had taken place.

The victim’s brother also questioned the delay in the rescue response, stating that the family remained trapped from around 1:00 a.m. until sunrise. According to him, security personnel informed them that they could not enter the area until daylight due to security concerns.

The family further rejected social media claims suggesting that rescue teams had reached the site within two hours. They also denied reports that an air ambulance had been arranged, stating that they personally managed the transportation of the deceased.

Representatives of the traders’ association said a terrorism case has now been registered against unidentified attackers at Dasht Police Station. They urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure a transparent investigation, provide financial support for the victim’s children, and bring those responsible to justice.

The grieving family appealed to the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information, saying inaccurate reports only deepen their pain during this difficult time. They expressed hope that the investigation will lead to the arrest of those responsible and help prevent such tragedies in the future.