Bipin Dani
Mumbai: a year to the horrific attack on lankan cricketers in lahore, families of those killed are still awaiting the promised compensation
It's been almost a year since the shocking attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore on March 3.
Younis Khan, who was the Pakistan skipper then, walks past the bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers which the gunmen attacked on March 3 in Lahore. PIC/AFP
While the incident will remain a major low point in world cricket, like all tragedies, the cricketing fraternity took it in its stride and moved on.
Unfortunately though, it seems to have moved on a touch too quickly, forgetting those who lost their lives and failing to deliver what was promised to their families.
Twelve gunmen attacked the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricketers just outside the Gaddafi Stadium where they were heading for the third day's play of the second Test against Pakistan.
Several Sri Lankan cricketers were fortunate to escape with injuries but Zafar, the sole bread-earner of the family, was among the eight who did not survive the attack.
A fund-raiser was proposed and the International Cricket Council agreed to allow the proceeds of the India-Pakistan World T20 warm-up game on June 3 last year in London to help support the families of victims.
Waiting
Unfortunately, they are still waiting for the funds.
"I spoke to Omair Khan (Zafar's son) and inquired about the payment, but he said that the family has not received anything. Even I am awaiting my share," said Khalil, who was driving the Sri Lankan team bus, over the phone from Lahore.
Khalil had shown tremendous presence of mind at a time when the gunmen were firing at the bus at will and drove the bus to safety before the gunmen could inflict more damage.
He has even been rewarded by the Pakistan and Sri Lanka governments as well as cricket boards, but Zafar's family is yet to be compensated in any way.
When contacted, all the Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ejaz Butt said was, "Which Lahore victims? I don't know."
Even the PCB Chied Operating Officer, Wasim Bari, was non-committal, saying he "was busy in a meeting" first and when pressed for an answer, he disconnected the line.
Everyone responsible for making sure that the families of the victims get their share of the funds could probably take a leaf out of Aleem Dar's book.
The international umpire promisedto provide Rs 5,000 every month to fellow umpire Ahsan Raza, as long as Dar is on ICC's Elite Panel of Umpires. Raza was shot in the back and was critical for several days. He only resumed umpiring last November.
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