'Kashaf was our reason to smile': Parents of Askari park accident victim
Fourteen-year-old, who was killed in an amusement park incident, had celebrated her birthday three days ago
Donned in a black and yellow dress, Kashaf Dukhtar was the happiest anyone could ever be as she celebrated her 14th birthday with friends and family on July 12.
Three days later, her parent's world came crashing down as she lost her life in a tragic swing accident at the Askari Amusement Park in Karachi's Old Sabzi Mandi area.
Eldest of six siblings,Kashaf was the apple of her parents’ eyes.
"She was our reason to smile," remarked an emotional Abdul Samad, father of Kashaf, while speaking to Geo News after his daughter's funeral.
He shared that he had gone to China for a business meeting when he received the call that would forever change his life. He immediately rushed back to Pakistan after hearing about her daughter's death.
"These parks where money is given more value than human lives should be closed down," remarked Kashaf's mother with tears down rolling down her face.
The teenager's funeral prayers were offered at a mosque near her house in Sharafabad.
Recounting the horror
Kashaf along with her siblings had made a plan to go to Askari Amusement Park, which had opened recently, for recreation.
It had been decided that the siblings will go with their grandparents to the amusement park on Sunday.
At the park, she decided to sit on the Frisbee Pendulum—an amusement ride featuring a circular gondola that rotates as it swings back and forth. The new ride was opened for trial on Sunday.
Her brother also wanted to sit with the ride but he wasn't allowed to do so.
An excited Kashaf strapped on for the ride, and it started moving. But soon after, a huge thump was heard and the ride came crashing down, killing Kashaf and injuring 16 others.
The swing collapsed after its bolts broke, an initial investigation report of the incident revealed on Monday.
The police are still waiting for the deceased girl’s parents to file a report in the case.