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| Aftab tells of a lucky escape
from hell of Pakistan quake |
Under-siege Greenland Road cornershop
owner and family avoid the worst
AN under siege shopkeeper who has suffered a series of attacks
at the hands of drug addicts had a piece of good luck when he and
his family escaped the worst of the Pakistan earthquake.
Aftab Ahmed, whose Greenland Road, Camden Town, cornershop has been
blighted by drug addicts since Camden Council closed the neighbouring
community advice centre a year and a half ago, had returned to Kashmir
late last month to see relatives.
His home, in Rawalakot, was completely destroyed in Saturday’s
earthquake, but Mr Ahmed had left for Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad,
80 miles from the epicentre, shortly before.
His family were all out at the time of the earthquake and all survived.
Speaking from Islamabad last night (Wednesday) he said: “My
whole town has been flattened, the college, the hospital everything.
“We are trying to help people before we come back.”
His brother Mahtab, manning his shop this week, added: “We
were very lucky; many people were not so fortunate.
“The house is gone but it can be rebuilt, eventually, although
we haven’t worked out how, yet. The important thing is everyone
is okay.
“The college where Aftab graduated was completely demolished
and so was the hospital in his town.”
A shortage of flights out of Pakistan means Mr Ahmed may have to
stay in Kashmir until next month.
More than 20,000 are believed to have died in the quake. |
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