LARKANA: The costly Mercedes-Benz ambulance on which the body of former minister Benazir Bhutto was transported from Bhutto House, Naundero, in December 2007 to Garhi Khuda Bux for burial, has been lying in shabby condition unattended.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership at that time had announced that the vehicle will be preserved as it has become of a historical significance as a treasure like the ruins of Mohenjo Daro. Several such ambulances were procured by provincial Health Department in 2005-06 and handed over to major hospitals of the province for transporting patients including one to Chandka Medical College Hospital. It was a fully loaded air-conditioned ambulance having all required medical emergency handling facilities.
The incharge driver wishing anonymity told this scribe that the vehicle was then used frequently even by the administrative doctors as the hospital had very limited on-the-road ambulances. He said almost all VVIP movements of the then president and chief minister were covered with this ambulance because of its importance, value and brand name for providing medical cover to them. He said that due to its frequent usage and carelessness, its engine became very weak.
He said then it was parked outside a private garage for major repairs. The mechanic advised the Chandka Medical College Hospuital (CMCH) administration for replacement of engine or overhauling of existing engine but spare parts of Mercedes were very costly hence it was decided to get a new engine from Quetta to make it road-worthy but the hospital administration had no funds and in this way it remained parked for years on an open road opposite the private garage having number plate of GS-6021.
When its number plate was checked on the website of Sindh Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, government of Sindh, it turned out to be fake.
“Sorry this vehicle registration number does not exist or you have entered an invalid number,” was the auto reply.
When this scribe started probing the matter, the CMCH authorities immediately shifted the vehicle to an unknown place.
On Friday, the incharge head driver Ali Sher Mirani claimed that new Toyota engine has been fixed in the ambulance and the vehicle is now on the road.
During last 10 years of rule in Sindh, PPP leaders forgot to maintain the ambulance on which dead body of their assassinated prime minister was shifted to her final resting place. The PPP voters and supporters have demanded that the ambulance be brought into original shape and preserved at Garhi Khuda being of historical significance.
Published in Daily Times, June 2nd 2018.