Govt fails to compensate Christian Colony victims

Survivor complaines that no representative of the government came to offer even condolences

PESHAWAR: Families affected by the terrorist attack in Christian Colony are still awaiting compensation that was announced for them by the provincial government. Christian Colony, which is situated near Warsak Dam on the outskirts of the city, was attacked by militants on September 2. The attack claimed the life of a retired sanitation worker, while many others were injured.

Following the attack, the federal and provincial governments had announced compensation for families of the victims. However, many of them have yet to receive the promised amount.

Samuel Masih, a worker of Peshawar Development Authority who died in the attack, was the sole breadwinner of his family. His family members are now living in a vulnerable condition. His mother is grievously ill while his wife, two daughters and a married son were also financially dependent on him.

Waqar Masih, Samuel’s other son, is also a sweeper in a government office. While speaking about his grievances, he told The Express Tribune, “My father was a poor man and he never caused any harm to anyone. And yet, he was killed.”

He added Samuel took a loan of Rs0.7 million for his daughter’s wedding and the treatment of his mother. He had to repay monthly installments. He said, “Now it is impossible for us to pay back the loan and the government has not yet announced any compensation for us.”

The family lives in a rented house and the future of Samuel’s children appears bleak. “He shouldered the responsibility of his children,” Samuel’s wife said. “But now we have been left empty-handed. It is impossible to make ends meet without government’s support.”

Similarly, another family was fortunate enough survive the blast that occurred in their house. Everything they own was destroyed. “We have nothing to eat or wear,” Farooq Masih, another resident, told The Express Tribune. “Everything we had in our house is damaged due to the pellets of the bomb. The television, the washing machine and even the second-hand air-conditioner I bought for us on monthly installments was also completely destroyed.”

Farooq said he had to buy few clothes for himself and his family because everything was destroyed in the attack. He incurred losses of between Rs0.4 million and Rs0.5 million as all his household items were destroyed. He planned to sell all his belongings and household items in the scrap market.

He also complained that no representative of the government came to offer condolences.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2016.