TAXILA: After a tragic accident that claimed 12 lives and caused injuries to over 20 others on Monday evening, the National Highways and Motorway Police banned operation of buses by the company involved on all motorways of the country.

According toan NHMP spokesperson Saqib Waheed, the decision was made by NHMP Inspector General (IG) Ishfaq Ahmed, who paid a visit to the site of the accident.

The ban was imposed in accordance with rule NHSO-45 and MVR (10) 35 of Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1969. Strict legal action has also been ordered against the bus company, the spokesman said.

A help desk has been established at the NHMP camp Burhan in order to provide assistance to family members of the injured and the deceased. Belongings of the ill-fated passengers are being distributed to their family members.

Mr Waheed said that the patrolling staff that carried out a rescue operation returned Rs1.2 million to one of the injured, who had lost the amount after the accident.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2021