Pakistani Labourer Hailed as Hero for Saving Indian Nationals from Flood
A Pakistani labourer in Oman has been hailed as a national hero after rescuing two Indian nationals from a car swept away by flash floods. The incident occurred in Barka, a coastal city west of Muscat, where heavy rain caused a vehicle to be carried into a swollen wadi.
Among the onlookers was 25-year-old Shehzad Khan, an expat from Shabqadar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who cannot swim. Despite his inability to swim, Khan climbed onto the car and managed to force open its rear door using a stone thrown by a bystander.
The rescue took place on March 21 during Eid Al-Fitr holidays, as Oman was hit by a powerful low-pressure system that turned normally dry riverbeds into fast-moving flood channels. The storms have killed at least 10 people, including five children.
Khan’s actions have since gone viral, with Pakistan’s embassy in Muscat awarding him a certificate of appreciation. Ambassador Naveed Safdar described Khan as a “national hero,” noting his inability to swim made the rescue “unparalleled.”
For Khan, who works and has completed only intermediate education, the recognition has been secondary to what he sees as a rare moment of connection between two nations often at odds. Despite ongoing differences with India, Khan believes that maintaining good relations between the two countries is crucial.
His family in Pakistan now shares in the recognition of his actions, with his father expressing pride in their country being recognized for such an act.