PM commends heroes who rescued trapped chairlift passengers

ISLAMABAD (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar honoured courageous commandos, armed forces personnel, and local residents on Thursday with commendation certificates for their role in rescuing eight stranded passengers from a suspended chairlift in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a commemoration ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister lauded the efforts of those involved, highlighting their exceptional skills that led to the successful conclusion of the mission.

During the event, the prime minister expressed the nation’s shared concern for the safety of the trapped passengers, particularly children who remained suspended on the chairlift for several hours. He emphasised that the triumphant operation was a collective achievement and extended recognition to those who prayed for the successful rescue from the confines of their homes.

Acknowledging the planning involved in the endeavour, the prime minister remarked, “Hats off to all of you who did an immaculate job. The biggest credit goes to those who were carrying out the planning.”

The rescued children, emotionally sharing their experience with the prime minister, expressed their relief upon learning that the Pakistan army had initiated the rescue operation.

Battagram chairlift: all trapped individuals rescued, operation completed

In his remarks, the prime minister underscored the state’s paramount duty to provide quality healthcare, education, and a dignified life.

Addressing the recent loss of security personnel in South Waziristan, he urged those with ill intentions obstructing the state’s functioning to reconsider their stance.

The prime minister also reiterated that the sacrifices made by various segments of society, including politicians, police services, Pakistan army, journalists, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), and ordinary citizens, in the war against terrorism would not be forgotten.

He expressed deep empathy for the families of terror victims, emphasizing that the salaries given to security forces personnel were meant to meet their needs while their sacrifices deserved respect and honour.

Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar assured that the state’s affairs were in capable hands and highlighted the caretaker setup’s mission to facilitate the forthcoming general elections within a limited timeframe.

The prime minister distributed commendation certificates among security forces personnel and local experts who participated in the rescue operation. The rescued children also received souvenirs during the event.

National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Inam Haider Malik acknowledged the effective coordination among various departments that contributed to the operation’s success. He emphasized the need to strengthen local rescue departments’ capacity to handle such emergency situations.

Prominent caretaker federal ministers including Murtaza Solangi, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Jamal Shah, Sarfaraz Bugti, Anwar Ali Hyder, Ijaz Gohar, and Madad Ali Sindhi attended the ceremony.

Overcoming Challenges

Local expert Ali Swati, who played a crucial role in the rescue mission, shared his concerns about the strength of the cable car’s wire and nut bolts holding it. Swati, who operates the “world’s highest” zipline in Kaghan, courageously accepted the challenge of saving lives despite potential risks.

Flown in by the Pakistan army, Swati’s team conducted the operation after a helicopter attempt was halted due to darkness. The team instructed the trapped passengers on safety measures and used a protective rope to assist them.

One of the stranded passengers, Gulfaraz, expressed gratitude for the rescue. He recalled the distress they endured during the ordeal and the relief that came with the Pakistan army’s intervention.