Punjab

Governor Punjab awards Essa Khan for honesty

Express July 21, 2010

LAHORE: Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer gave an award and cash prize to a hotel employee, Essa Khan, for returning fifty thousand dollars to a guest at his hotel in Gilgit.

The Governor held a ceremony at the Governor House on Wednesday, where Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah was also invited.

Taseer appreciated the hotel employee and said his honesty had earned fame for Pakistan throughout the world.

Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan said he was proud to live on the land of brave and honest people.

Essa Khan, 51, discovered the money in $100 notes left in the room of a Japanese worker at the Serena Hotel in Gilgit, reported the BBC.

Khan, who earns about Rs 21,000 a month, says he never considered keeping the money. He has been invited to receive an award from a state governor for his honesty. “My duty with the hotel and my family upbringing teaches me nothing else,” he said. “Times are hard for everyone, but that doesn’t mean we should start stealing and taking things which do not belong to us.”

COMMENTS (5)

Abdul Hamid Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Essa Khan belongs to Hunza, Balawaristan and he is not Punjabi, Pthan, Sindhi or Baloci who make Pakistan and its provinces according to the Pakistani constitution. Essa Khan is Brooshoo, which is also my nationality. The emotions or enemity of Israr, whose real name and whereabouts is unkonwn, who has written that Essa Khan belongs to the 5th province of Pakistan either a man of ignorant or misleading intentionally. Whatever is the raeson behind his remarks, is incorrect according to the Pakistani Supreme Court and Lahore High Courts past verdicts. His remarks also negatve by the constitution of Pakistan. Neither Essa Khan is a Pakistani national nor Gilgit Baltistan is a province of Pakistan. Its disputed terriotory and future of Balawaristan is still to be decided.Abdul Hamid Khan Brussel, balawaristan@gmail.com, www.balawaristan.net

israr | 14 years ago | Reply Essa Khan doesn't belong your self created "Balawaristan". He is a citizen of Pakistan and belongs from Gilgit-Baltistan, the fifth province of Pakistan. Proud to be G-B ien.

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Abdul Hamid Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Essa Khan belongs to a disputed land, Balawaristan (Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan) who is not citizen of Pakistan and he has no right of vote to elect his choice of democracy. Honesty and bravery is the nature of each and every son and daughter of Gilgit Baltistan. I salute my brother Essa Khan for showing his traditional honesty.

Humna | 14 years ago | Reply Salman taseer should have left his office in Essa's honor, let him be the man who controls the nation's wealth too..

Hasan | 14 years ago | Reply Let's have Essa Khan as president, at least he's honest.

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