Shuhada package: PHC seeks answers on govt’s failure to pay compensation

Moharrar kidnapped by militants in 2014 was slain soon after

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court issued notices to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and North Waziristan Agency political agent for failure to monetarily compensate the family of a moharrar who was kidnapped and slain by militants.

Hearing a petition on Friday filed by Malik Halim Jan, through his counsel Idrees Khan, Justice Syed Afsar Shah and Justice Younis Taheem learned the petitioner’s son, Rahmatullah, was deployed in North Waziristan as a political moharrar.

In the line of duty

“He was kidnapped by militants on March 3, 2014, and killed after a brief period in captivity,” the counsel said. He contended the man had no enemies and was simply performing his duty. The lawyer added Rahmatullah died in the line of duty.

Idrees said Rahmatullah’s family had submitted an application with the NWA political agent for compensation under the Shuhada package. However, authorities had yet to give the victim’s family the amount.

He maintained Rahmatullah’s family was entitled to the package and the government was bound, legally and constitutionally, to pay the money.

The bench, after hearing the arguments, issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies.

The same bench, while hearing another writ petition, issued notices to the law secretary and political agent of Khyber Agency for the alleged illegal appointment of a naib subedar.

Hearing the petition filed by Naheedur Rahman, through his counsel Iqbal Gul, the bench was told the petitioner was more senior and therefore entitled to be promoted to the rank of subedar after the post fell vacant.

Gul said the petitioner had been serving in Khyber Agency for years. However, he added, Abdul Sattar was promoted to the rank after he submitted a letter with the forged signature of the petitioner. The document stated Rahman had no objection to the Sattar’s appointment to the vacant post.

Gul pointed out the letter was forged and the matter was brought to the attention of the law secretary, but no action was taken. He requested the bench to declare the appointment null and void, while asking the court to order the promotion of his client.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.