Family of Pakistani engineer Hammad Obaida awaits return of his body after 35 days

The family of Pakistani third engineer Hammad Obaida has once again appealed to the government to help bring his body back to Pakistan, saying 35 days have passed without its return following his death in an incident involving a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, Hammad’s brother and mother expressed anguish over the delay, alleging that authorities had failed to take effective action to ensure the repatriation of his body.

Hammad’s brother said the family learned from the company on September 26 that two bodies had been recovered. The family feared that one of them could be Hammad. He said they later learned that both bodies had been shifted to a hospital in Muscat, Oman. On October 4, the family was informed that the medical examination had been completed.

Hammad’s brother said he had repeatedly urged the relevant authorities to collect DNA samples and expedite the process so that his brother’s body could be identified and brought home.

He questioned the government’s response to the matter, saying the family had been left waiting despite repeated appeals for assistance.

Hammad’s mother expressed disappointment over what she described as the lack of acknowledgement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, questioning whether he was even aware that a Pakistani citizen had died.

“What is the ministry doing? They are doing nothing. They are not even bringing our son’s body back,” she said.

Hammad’s brother stressed that the family was asking for nothing beyond the return of his brother’s body.

His mother said bringing her son home would at least give the family some peace and allow them to accept that he had attained martyrdom.

The family continues to appeal to Pakistani authorities to expedite the identification process and arrange the repatriation of Hammad’s body.