Slain constable to get gallantry award

Chief justice meets lawyers, terms government’s negligence a cause for lapse in security of courts

SHABQADAR: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has announced the decision to confer Tamgha-e-Shujaat on Naseemullah, the head constable, who lost his life in the attack on a court complex in Shabqadar. This is a top civil award for gallantry posthumously.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Nisar condemned the March 7 Shabqadar attack. He also announced financial compensation for the families of those who had lost their lives.



Naseemullah, 37, was promoted to head constable in 2015 and had also served in the traffic police. He has two sons and a daughter. His eldest son is in grade six while his daughter is in grade four.

Shabqadar Bar Association President Mian Sher Qadir said eyewitnesses saw the suicide bomber open fire on police constable Shabbir Khan when Naseemullah obstructed the attacker. “When the suicide bomber could not succeed in entering the session court, he blew himself up,” he said. “That is why judges and lawyers remained safe while the women and children who were inside waiting rooms got caught in the explosion and died.”

Miankhel visits Shabqadar

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel voiced his concerns over the lack of security provided by the provincial government to the courts in Charsadda.

He said this while speaking to the lawyers during his visit to Shabqadar Bar Association on Wednesday.

Miankhel also ordered an enquiry report looking at the attack should be submitted to PHC within 15 days. He demanded the provincial government construct the judicial complex in Shabqadar. “The government provided Rs3.5 million to acquire land for the judicial complex,” Miankhel said. “However, we now need Rs50 million more for its construction.”



Senior lawyer Latif Afridi demanded a judicial enquiry into the March 7 attack.

He added, “The government should punish the real culprits and not police officials posted at lower grades.”

Qaumi Watan Party Chairperson Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao also visited the families of those who were killed in the Shabqadar attack. Minister for Irrigation and Social Welfare Sikandar Hayat Sherpao also accompanied him on the visit.

While talking to the media, Aftab said raising boundary walls is not the solution to preventing terrorist from attacking. “The government should eradicate terrorism from its root,” he said, terming the recent bombing at the sessions court a security failure.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2016.