Early compensation ordered for victims

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Interior to expedite the process of preparing a compensation package for victims of the Islamabad district court's suicide attack.

The court further directed the ministry to convene a meeting of the relevant committee at the earliest and finalise the policy, urging it to make efforts to complete the compensation package within a month. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a written order in a case concerning the non-payment of compensation to victims of the attack.

According to the order, the Ministry of Interior informed the court that the policy and compensation package for the victims was at the final approval stage. The administration had also compiled details and the number of people affected by the incident.

The ministry's report stated that priority would be given to the victims for payment of compensation. A high-level committee, headed by the interior minister, has been constituted to prepare the compensation package, and its meeting would be convened soon.

The court directed the ministry to submit a progress report before the next hearing, scheduled for October 20. Advocate Muhammad Asif Gujjar had approached the court seeking compensation for the victims.