The family and friends of Abdul Jabbar Memon recently (March 29) observed the first anniversary of the death of the former consul-general of Pakistan at Los Angeles in the United States. The man had passed away after battling a rare cancer for which treatment was only available in the US, and that, too, on a trial basis. It was this medical trial that had kept him alive for four years.
During what turned out to be the last year of his life, the former government refused to grant him extension at Los Angeles, which caused him tremendous stress as his trial drugs were available only at that very station.
In order to save his life, he sought a stay order against his transfer from the Sindh High Court. Since then, the foreign ministry seems to have maintained a grudge against him. He is no more around, but we, the heirs, have to face the brunt of the ministry’s grudge.
During the last year, we have made several attempts without success to get our pension and benefits released under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package for the families of government employees who die in service. His former colleagues at the ministry have heartlessly ignored our plight for subsistence in these times of inflation.
The family has given up hope in the ministry officials. Only an intervention from somewhere else can save the day for us. Can the foreign minister or the prime minister find some time to see what is happening in the case? Can the Supreme Court look into the matter?
FAREEDA MEMON
TANDO JAM
