Dubai
The power of social media returned Shabbir Hussain’s missing bag that contained documents to save his father’s life.
The resident of Skardu, Pakistan, posted a video online, specifically urging social media users to find a bag he had lost travelling from Islamabad to his hometown. “It fell off the bus’s roof and when we went back to pick it up, someone had already taken it.
“I had documents, and university books in it but the most important thing is that my father is getting treatment for brain tumour and his reports and medical records are in it, without them his treatment will stop.”
The video post was picked up by Pakistan’s Director General Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, who shared it on Twitter handle @peaceforchange. He also offered to help Hussain with his father’s treatment.
Ghafoor tweeted: “Request, please help this Pakistani brother... And dear Shabbir if u see this tweet please share your cell number through my inbox for assistance at CMH.”
Request, please help our this Pakistani brother....
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) June 10, 2018
And dear Shabbir if u see this tweet please share your cell number through my inbox for assistance at CMH. pic.twitter.com/CNRwzwZ364
Tweeps took notice and Ghafoor’s post has since gotten 4,280 retweets and 6,760 likes on the platform. And Hussain was in for a pleasant surprise!
Ghafoor posted: “Thanks to all Pakistanis, including media for prompt response. Bag found. Being delivered. That’s being a great and responsible nation. And all assistance in CMH made available to Shabbir. PakistanZindaAbad.”
Thanks to all Pakistanis including Media for prompt response. Bag found. Being delivered. That’s being a great and responsible nation.
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) June 10, 2018
And all assistance in CMH made available to Shabbir.
🇵🇰PakistanZindaAbad https://t.co/GEDg7HF0II
Currently, Hussain’s father is receiving treatment at Rawalpindi’s Combined Military Hospital.
Praising the joint efforts of social media users and the influence the internet can have, Ghafoor @peaceforchange tweeted: “Yes, this is [the] power of media and social media. That’s the correct, responsible and purposeful utility. That’s the requirement. Let’s utilise it positively for a well aware and strong Pakistan. Thank you.”
Yes, this is power of Media and social media. That’s the correct, responsible and purposeful utility. That’s the requirement. Let’s utilise it positively for a well aware and strong Pakistan. Thank you. https://t.co/f6s20Vql3p
— Asif Ghafoor (@peaceforchange) June 10, 2018
Confirming the name of the man who returned the bag, prominent Pakistan journalist, Hamid Mir, @HamidMirPAK tweeted: “Bag of Shabir found by one citizen Haq Nawaz he contacted ARY and informed that bag handed over to [Northern Areas Transport Corporation] NATCO office in Gilgit.”
Bag of Shabir found by one citizen Haq Nawaz he contacted ARY and informed that Bag handed over to Natco office in Gilgit https://t.co/K3x8bQ7zgI
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) June 10, 2018
Overall, netizens appreciated social media users’ efforts to return Hussain’s belongings and celebrated the internet’s power.
Twitter user @mai_kon_houn_ posted: “Social media is becoming a powerful tool in our society, and heartwarming stories like these demonstrate that we have started to use this tool in a sensible way!”
Social media is becoming a powerful tool in our society , and heartwarming stories like these demonstrate that we have started to use this tool in a sensible way !
— ایک پاکستانی (@mai_kon_houn_) June 10, 2018
@Farrukh_Abbas12 wrote: “No doubt. Amazing response. His video literally broke my heart. Proves if you use social media positively it can do wonders.”
No doubt. Amazing response. His video literally broke my heart. Proves if you use social media positively it can do wonders.
— Farrukh Abbas (@Farrukh_Abbas12) June 10, 2018