Maryam visits RY Khan to boost police morale, console families of martyrs

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz arrived here on Saturday to boost the morale of police force in the wake of martyrdom of 12 law-enforcers at the hands of dacoits in the Katcha area the other day.

She visited the injured at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital here and met families of the martyrs and comforted them. She prayed for early recovery of the injured policemen, including Waseem Arshad, Bilal, Farooq, Nabil Shahzad, Zahid, Saeed and Mohammad Ayub. She also met parents and families of the injured cops.

Injured policeman Bilal expressed his determination saying their morale was high and they would fight the dacoits again after recovery. “Police will continue to fight with the enemies of peace,” he pledged. The CM praised Bilal over his bravery and called him pride of the nation. “The policemen are like brothers and sons, I consider their pain as my own; their attackers will not be spared,” said the CM.

Later, CM Maryam Nawaz met families of the martyred policemen at the DPO office. The CM consoled the bereaved families. She said they would rectify the mistake and there would be no such incident in future. She said every martyr was a hero of the nation and every bereaved family would be fully supported. The CM announced that children of martyrs would be given free education, house and job. There were no words to describe the grief of those who lost their dear ones in the attack by dacoits.

The chief minister admitted the damage was huge in the form of martyrdom of policemen. A permanent solution to the problem must be found, she said and added that construction of check-posts should be completed soon. Three martyrs were Hindu youths -- Ajay Ram, Bairam Ram and Raja Kanwal. The CM was given a detailed briefing on the tragedy in Katcha area.

Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the mother of a senior journalist Amir Illyas Rana.