ISLAMABAD by IMTISAL BUKHARI
Todd Shea, renowned singer, humanitarian, and founder of CDRS (Comprehensive Disaster Response Services), held a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad on Wednesday, shedding light on the recent bear attack on acclaimed Pakistani singer Quratulain Baloch (QB) at the Deosai National Park camp in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Accompanied by eyewitness photographer Shahbaz and Sulaiman Qazi, Todd Shea strongly refuted the circulating media reports, labeling them as false and misleading. He stated that the incident was a direct result of negligence and failure by the local administration.
“Quratulain Baloch was not in Deosai for leisure or a music shoot,” clarified Shea. “She was in Skardu to support flood-affected communities and her visit to Deosai National Park was part of that humanitarian mission.”
According to Shea, QB was camped at the Bara Pani Camp Ground, directly across from Glamp Pakistan. She was accompanied by a local tour driver and photographer Shahbaz. Although the area was presented as safe, a bear had been spotted nearly an hour before the attack, but this critical information was never communicated to QB or her team.
While QB was sleeping inside her tent, a fully grown brown bear attacked her.
“The bear clawed at both her arms while she tried to protect her head from injury. There was no food in her tent, and she had no warning of the threat nearby,” said Shea.
Photographer Shahbaz acted with quick thinking and bravery, using his vehicle to scare the bear away, which allowed QB to escape. Shea praised Shahbaz as the real hero of the incident.
“His courageous action saved Quratulain’s life. Without his response, the outcome could have been tragic.”
Local residents provided initial medical aid, after which QB and Shahbaz were immediately rushed to Skardu Hospital. QB is now out of danger and recovering, but she is said to be under serious psychological stress following the traumatic event.
Shea emphasized that greater responsibility and better safety protocols are needed in protected natural parks like Deosai to avoid such potentially fatal incidents in the future. He called for a thorough investigation into administrative lapses and urged the media to report such sensitive matters with accuracy and responsibility.
