ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister and senator Abbas Afridi passed away on Friday after succumbing to severe burn injuries sustained in a tragic gas leak explosion in Kohat.
The blast occurred late Thursday night, injuring Afridi and three others inside a local Hujra (guesthouse), according to local police and rescue officials.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi confirmed that Afridi was initially treated at Kohat Combined Military Hospital before being airlifted to a specialized burn center in Kharian, Punjab.
Despite emergency medical efforts, Afridi could not recover from his injuries and died early Friday. His body was brought back to Kohat, where his funeral will be held at 5 PM in Babri Banda.
Explosion in Hujra Leaves Multiple Injured
The Kohat police reported that the explosion was caused by a gas leak inside the Hujra, where Afridi was accompanied by three others: Dilnawaz, Javed Afridi, and Nadeem.
All four sustained injuries, with the blast powerful enough to damage the structure’s walls. The other victims were transferred to a divisional headquarters hospital for further treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion, following directives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
The governor expressed his condolences to the Afridi family, including Abbas Afridi’s father, Senator Shamim Afridi, and his brother Amjad Afridi, who serves as the provincial information secretary for the Pakistan People’s Party.
National Leaders Mourn a Loss
Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Deputy Chairman Zahid Khan also expressed their sorrow over the untimely death of Afridi, describing him as a “sociable and sincere person” who served the country with dedication.
