PHC seeks reply in petition for uniform policy on martyrs package

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday sought reply from provincial police chief and secretary Finance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in a writ petition seeking uniform policy on "Shaheed Package" for all martyrs irrespective of their rank and grade in the force.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued notice to police chief and secretary Finance to submit reply before the next hearing into the case.

The writ petition was filed by senior lawyer Muhammad Khursheed Khan against what he termed discriminatory policy about "Shaheed Package" for the police martyrs as a police constable gets less money and privileges while an officer of high rank is given a bigger amount and facilities.

"The country, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is in the grip of terrorism. Different law-enforcement agencies are fighting the war against terrorism. Up to 80,000 people have sacrificed lives in the war," the petitioner said. He pointed out that along with the other law-enforcement agencies, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel had offered sacrifices of their lives and rendered other services in the war against terrorism. The petitioner said police jawans on a number of occasions stopped the suicide bombers and sacrificed their lives. He said that as per the government policy the family of a constable gets less "Shaheed Package" and privileges than the martyred officers in the Police Department.

Besides, he said the legal heirs of the low-ranking martyred policemen did not get the "Shaheed Package" on time. He said they are often forced to move the high court for getting the full compensation package.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the government to provide the record about different kinds of "Shaheed Package" for the police force and civilians. He requested the court to direct the government and Police Department to pay the "Shaheed Package" to police martyrs with honour and dignity the way it is paid to the legal heirs of the martyred army jawans at their homes.