Family demands Shaheed Package for fallen cop

PESHAWAR: The family of Shah Saud, a policeman who died from injuries sustained in a bomb attack, has demanded of the government and police chief to grant him the Shaheed Package, similar to other martyrs.

There are several policemen who have been battling for life over the last many years after sustaining injuries in terrorist attacks. Many lost the battle and died of the same wounds years later but they were never considered for any special package.

Shah Saud, a constable from Charsadda, was wounded in a blast in the Pishtakhara area of the provincial capital in September 2010. He died 13 years later at a hospital last year, after he had developed complications.

Shah Saud had lost his leg and developed kidney issues after the bomb attack on their patrolling car in Pishtakhara. He died while undergoing a kidney transplant that was donated by a family member. He is survived by a widow, a son and three daughters.

“We have approached the police bosses many times during the last one year to consider the case of Shah Saud for the Shaheed Package because he not only died because of that terrorist attack but also suffered for 13 long years afterwards,” said the widow of the police martyr.

In the Pishtakhara blast, another constable, Shabbir, had been martyred while Shah Saud and driver Ijaz had sustained injuries. Saud lost his leg and developed kidney issues that further aggravated his condition.

He added that the additional IGP Headquarters had approved Rs1 million for his transplant after his case was taken up by the then Assistant Inspector General (Establishment) Dr Zahid Jan.

“Now the family has demanded of the KP government and Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan to continue his salary, which has been stopped, and announce other incentives as approved for other martyrs,” said a family member. He said the case is with the capital city police officer for approval.

Shah Saud was posted at the office of assistant superintendent of police Faqirabad for the last many years after former Capital City Police Officer Qazi Jamilur Rehman ordered all the cops wounded in terror attacks at nearest places with easy tasks.

A number of his colleagues and other people on social media demanded special packages for Shah Saud soon after his death, saying he not only died because of the terror attack but he and his family also suffered because of it for over a decade.

“He and his entire family suffered hardships since the bomb attack. He is a martyr and his family should be treated accordingly,” said Sohail Khan, a colleague of Shah Saud.Many colleagues said that other cops who were facing similar issues after the attacks should also be visited and helped as many need help in treatment and other issues.