Financial compensation: PHC directs govt to adopt uniform ‘Shuhada Package’
Says there should be no discrimination between different security forces.
Peshawar High Court. PHOTO: PPI
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the federal government to adopt a uniform ‘Shuhada (martyr) Package’ for families of security forces personnel killed in the line of duty.
A two-member bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali heard a petition filed by Gulcha, whose husband – a naib subidar in the Frontier Corps – was killed in a bomb blast in Balochistan.
The bench was informed by Deputy Attorney General Iqbal Mohmand and Joint Secretary Finance Division Islamabad Rohail Muhammad the petitioner’s husband died in a bomb blast in Balochistan in 2010. They added the bereaved family was subsequently given Rs1 million as financial compensation and that the sum was adequate.
However, Justice Khan remarked, all security forces including Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps were protecting the country and if families of khasadar personnel get Rs3 million, the same should be provided to the both Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps to avoid discrimination. The government needs to encourage security personnel and follow the court’s orders in giving financial compensation, he said.
The president earlier approved a uniform Shuhada Package for all security forces on the directives of the PHC, but this case shows it was not being followed, added Justice Khan. He maintained the children of the deceased are not provided free education for 10 years, which is against Article 24 of the Constitution and implies discrimination.
The court then ordered the Federal Ministry of Interior, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to solve the matter and ensure a uniform package for all security forces’ families. A summary should be prepared in this regard for approval from the prime minister and president, it added.
Under the package, provincial and federal governments both compensate the families of security personnel killed while serving the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th,2013.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the federal government to adopt a uniform ‘Shuhada (martyr) Package’ for families of security forces personnel killed in the line of duty.
A two-member bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali heard a petition filed by Gulcha, whose husband – a naib subidar in the Frontier Corps – was killed in a bomb blast in Balochistan.
The bench was informed by Deputy Attorney General Iqbal Mohmand and Joint Secretary Finance Division Islamabad Rohail Muhammad the petitioner’s husband died in a bomb blast in Balochistan in 2010. They added the bereaved family was subsequently given Rs1 million as financial compensation and that the sum was adequate.
However, Justice Khan remarked, all security forces including Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps were protecting the country and if families of khasadar personnel get Rs3 million, the same should be provided to the both Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps to avoid discrimination. The government needs to encourage security personnel and follow the court’s orders in giving financial compensation, he said.
The president earlier approved a uniform Shuhada Package for all security forces on the directives of the PHC, but this case shows it was not being followed, added Justice Khan. He maintained the children of the deceased are not provided free education for 10 years, which is against Article 24 of the Constitution and implies discrimination.
The court then ordered the Federal Ministry of Interior, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to solve the matter and ensure a uniform package for all security forces’ families. A summary should be prepared in this regard for approval from the prime minister and president, it added.
Under the package, provincial and federal governments both compensate the families of security personnel killed while serving the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th,2013.