PHC issues notice to FDMA, Bajaur PA in writ petition

Compensation to quake victims

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notice to director general of the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) and political agent Bajaur Agency in a writ petition filed by earthquake affectees of the tribal agency.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Irshad Qaiser and Justice Syed Afsar Shah issued the notice in a writ petition filed by tribesmen of Bajaur Agency. Muhammad Haneef Jan and 47 others tribal elders had filed the petition through Nasir Mehmood Advocate, in which they claimed that their houses were partially destroyed in earthquake in 2015.

The lawyer said that the government had announced package for the earthquake affectees and their names were also included in the government survey and then issued token to them for the compensation. However, he said the government did not pay the compensation amount to date.

The lawyer said that providing relief to the petitioners was their constitutional right.The court issued notice to DG FDMA and PA Bajaur Agency directing to submit reply and explain as to why the compensation package was not being paid to the earthquake affectees.