Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
Veteran Pakistani politician and former senator Taj Muhammad Afridi.
Courtesy: Family
Veteran Pakistani politician and former senator Taj Muhammad Afridi died Friday after sustaining critical injuries in a road accident on the M-1 Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway.
His vehicle veered off the road near the Colonel Sher Khan Interchange in Swabi district while he was traveling from Islamabad to Peshawar, Motorway Police said.
Who was Taj Muhammad Afridi?
Taj Muhammad Afridi was a PML-N politician from the former tribal district of Khyber in northwestern Pakistan. He served as a senator from March 2015 to March 2021, and later as caretaker provincial minister for Relief and Rehabilitation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from January to August 2023.
Officials said a mechanical fault appeared to have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, sending it into the road's verge. Courtesy: Motorway Police
He was also known for his business interests, including contracts for NATO operations in Afghanistan.
What caused the M-1 Motorway crash?
Motorway Police officer Rizwan Nasim told Nukta that Afridi and his driver, Fazal Jan, were injured and shifted to Mardan Medical Complex, where doctors later pronounced Afridi dead.
Officials said a mechanical fault appeared to have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, sending it into the road's verge. Recovery teams and heavy machinery were dispatched to retrieve the vehicle.
How did Pakistan's government respond to Afridi's death?
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's provincial government and governor expressed condolences to Afridi's family following the news of his death.
Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan said in a statement that Afridi's contributions to politics and public service would always be remembered. No federal government statement had been issued at the time of publication.
What was Afridi's political career before his death?
Afridi contested the 2021 Senate elections from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a general seat as a candidate of the Balochistan Awami Party.
He later joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz alongside his brother, Shah Jee Gul Afridi, a former member of the National Assembly. The M-1 Motorway, one of Pakistan's major transport routes, connects the capital Islamabad with Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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