Saraiki nationalists demand Rs 2m compensation, help to repatriate bodies

MULTAN: Political workers and Saraiki nationalists have deplored the cold response from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) caretaker government in failure to render help in the transfer of bodies of six labourers killed in north Waziristan at the hands of terrorists.

The KP caretakers could not even extend their grief over the brutal killing of labourers. Talking to journalists here Thursday, the Saraikistan Qaumi Council Chief Zahoor Dharija and Dera Ghazi Khan PPP senior leader Malik Muhammad Saleem condemned the terrorism in North Waziristan and said: “After Balochistan, dead bodies have started coming from Waziristan as well. Six peaceful Saraiki workers were brutally killed. The Army Chief should immediately take notice that Wasib's workers in Waziristan have become victims of terrorism.” Zahor Dhreeja said the KP and Punjab chief ministers should take action and arrange for the transfer of bodies. “The families of the victims cannot even afford two meals a day. How will they bring back the bodies?”

He said: “The provincial governments should immediately pay compensation of Rs 2 million to each of the deceased. Saraiki labourers have been killed for years, but no killer has been arrested to date. Zahor warned that they would announce a three-day mourning in Wasib and if the killers were not arrested they would stage mass protests.