Civilian martyrs to get Shuhada package: minister

Tribute paid to police officers martyred during terror attacks in twin cities

ISLAMABAD / RAWALPINDI: Civilians who are martyred in terror attacks will also be entitled to the Shuhada package just like those wearing uniforms as the sacrifice of martyred police officers were hailed in separate events in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Addressing a Youm-e-Shuhada event in Rawalpindi on Sunday, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said that the nation was proud of sacrifices rendered by the police.

“It is our responsibility to look after their families and it is one that we are ready to fulfil,” Basharat said at the Rawalpindi Police Lines.

The law minister added that the nature of police duty was such that cops have to face the public every day. However, he said that the public sometimes forgets that police officers, much like themselves, are only human. “Being humans, they could also make mistakes,” he said, noting that however, police officers enjoy a very little margin of error while having to face up to massive expectations.

He added that the courage of Punjab police could be judged from the fact that personnel from the Elite Force were guarding Data Darbar soon after a blast there.

“Civilians who lost their lives during any terrorist activity would be included in Shuhda package too,” he stated.

Earlier, a smartly turned out contingent of the Punjab Police presented guard of honour to the martyred police officers followed by prayers. Government and police officials then laid wreaths at a monument for martyred cops.

Before commencement of the ceremony, however, the atmosphere turned emotional when the Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Faisal Rana, Investigation SSP, Saddar SP Rao Mazhar, Potohar SP Syed Ali and Rawal SP Akram Khan personally greeted family members of 103 martyred cops. The CPO stroked the heads of children of the martyred police officials.

“A martyr does not just contribute to the police but to the whole society,” he said.

With tears welling up in his eyes, he stated that the doors to his office were always open for the families of the martyred.

“You do not need to take any kind of appointment to meet me. You all are VVIPs for me.”

He added that he was ready to take every possible measure to ensure, education of police martyrs’ children. He also paid tribute to martyred cop ASP Suleman Ayaz.

Spokesperson for the Punjab Chief Minister Dr Shahbaz Gill paid homage to sacrifices rendered by the police and said that they were aware of the shortage of funds for the police department.

He suggested that if people want to pay homage to the police, then they must bring about a change in their attitude towards them.

Dr Gill said that in the case of the Sahiwal incident, they dealt it with quickly and prudently despite politics on the issue.

History is written with blood

Islamabad Police Inspector General (IGP) Aamir Zulfiqar Khan told a Youm-e-Shuhada ceremony at the Police Lines Headquarters said that as many as 42 police officers of the capital police had embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

"We are proud of martyrs of Islamabad police who have written a golden chapter of their history using their blood and ensured that the lives and property of the capital’s citizens remain safe," he added.

The IGP added that the police, like the armed forces, were fighting against the menace of terrorism and that the Islamabad Police have rendered many sacrifices in this regard, helping averted many threats.

Earlier, Islamabad IGP laid floral wreaths at the Police Martyrs’ Monument and paid tribute to them.

He promised that the government was committed to providing every facility to the families of the martyred police personnel apart from providing jobs to their family members.

Aamir said that the future of the nation would be made more secure as brave sons of the soil have learnt not to bow before the enemy.

He said that a “Shuhada Desk” has been established for better coordination with families of martyred personnel and provide better assistance as well as more facilities to them without delay.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2019.