A tragic bus accident near the Balksar Interchange on the Chakwal-Islamabad-Lahore Motorway has led to the registration of a criminal case against the Skyways bus company’s owner, base manager, and the driver. The case, filed at the Saddar Police Station in Chakwal, invokes sections 279, 322, 337G, 427, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Atif Nazir from Gulshan Colony, Bakra Mandi, Lahore, fled the scene after the accident, while the second driver, Muhammad Yasin, died on the spot.
According to the First Information Report, Atif Nazir departed from Lahore for Rawalpindi at midnight and reached his destination around 5 a.m. Despite the overnight journey, the bus stand manager and the company’s owner allegedly forced him to drive the return leg back to Lahore just one hour later, without adequate rest. Drowsy and driving recklessly, Nazir reportedly lost control of the bus, which plunged into a ditch near Balksar, resulting in devastating consequences.
The crash claimed the lives of nine individuals, including four children, and left 30 others injured. Among the deceased were siblings from Lahore—14-year-old Khadija, 2-year-old Haram, and 8-year-old Ahmed—while their mother sustained serious injuries. Another victim, 31-year-old Umm-e-Rabab from Lahore, and her 8-month-old son Haider also lost their lives. Her husband Mohsin and their two-year-old daughter Abiha were injured in the crash. Speaking over the phone while transporting the bodies of his wife and son to Lahore, Mohsin described the driver’s behavior as dangerously reckless and the speed as excessive, which he believes caused the vehicle to veer off and fall into the ravine.
This incident has raised serious questions about the operational practices of long-haul transport companies, particularly regarding driver fatigue and negligence in ensuring safety protocols. The investigation continues as families mourn the loss of their loved ones.
