A father, policeman and a martyr
Amir was unlettered but wanted a better education for his children.
Amir was unlettered but wanted a better education for his children. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE.
PESHAWAR:
It was October 15, 2010, when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) located near Swati Gate. Fifteen people were killed that Friday.
Head Constable Amir Nawaz was among three policemen who lost their lives. Nawaz, a resident of Musazai, a village in suburban Peshawar, was in his mid-50s and a father to four sons and three daughters.
He had served the police force for over three decades and was transferred to the CIA police station five years earlier, during the toughest of times. Peshawar back than was consistently under attack almost every Friday. Officials had described the incidents as a ‘reaction’ to the military operations. Several high-profile militants were brought to the CIA for investigation.
“My father joined the police at an early age,” recollects his son, Rab Nawaz. “He was a great father. Although not well educated himself, he wanted his children to get a better education.” Today, Rab is struck with financial woes since his father’s demise.
The head constable’s monthly income was Rs21,000 when he was alive but after his death the family only receives Rs16,000. “Our dreams have been shattered since then,” his son said, adding that the families of the martyred police officials are given the salary of the deceased till they were meant to retire.
The martyrs’ package of Rs1.5 million has not kept up with inflation. Nawaz’s younger son is thus working to support the family, while the other two are still in school.
Rab Nawaz has graduated but the police could not find a job.
“My father sacrificed his life for the country and the police, but the department cannot even give me a job according to policy.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.
It was October 15, 2010, when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) located near Swati Gate. Fifteen people were killed that Friday.
Head Constable Amir Nawaz was among three policemen who lost their lives. Nawaz, a resident of Musazai, a village in suburban Peshawar, was in his mid-50s and a father to four sons and three daughters.
He had served the police force for over three decades and was transferred to the CIA police station five years earlier, during the toughest of times. Peshawar back than was consistently under attack almost every Friday. Officials had described the incidents as a ‘reaction’ to the military operations. Several high-profile militants were brought to the CIA for investigation.
“My father joined the police at an early age,” recollects his son, Rab Nawaz. “He was a great father. Although not well educated himself, he wanted his children to get a better education.” Today, Rab is struck with financial woes since his father’s demise.
The head constable’s monthly income was Rs21,000 when he was alive but after his death the family only receives Rs16,000. “Our dreams have been shattered since then,” his son said, adding that the families of the martyred police officials are given the salary of the deceased till they were meant to retire.
The martyrs’ package of Rs1.5 million has not kept up with inflation. Nawaz’s younger son is thus working to support the family, while the other two are still in school.
Rab Nawaz has graduated but the police could not find a job.
“My father sacrificed his life for the country and the police, but the department cannot even give me a job according to policy.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.