Muharram security: Govt assures PHC of releasing funds in three days

Representatives say all the necessary work has been completed in this regard.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Department of Finance and local government secretary on Monday assured the Peshawar High Court (PHC) they will release funds to the peace committee of Kohat district within three days to ensure law and order during Muharram.

The assurance was given to a two-member bench comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid and Justice Roohul Amin hearing a writ petition filed by former MNA Javed Ibrahim Paracha.

The petitioner informed the court the government releases Rs0.5 million each year to a peace committee in Kohat district which makes security arrangements along with law enforcement agencies. He added Muharram is around the corner, but the funds are yet to be released.



Finance Department Section Officer Amanatullah and Local Government Secretary Barkatullah told the court all necessary work has been completed and the said funds would be released in three days.

The court then disposed of the petition, saying contempt of court notices will be issued to all relevant officials if they fail to release funds within three days.

Javed Paracha had filed a writ petition on October 28, stating the government has not released funds for the peace committee so far. He mentioned in the petition that processions from Orakzai Agency and Hangu also come to Kohat, for which they need to maintain high security.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th,2013.