Acknowledged: K-P govt recognises Aitizaz’s heroism, finally

Announces Rs5 million compensation; names his school, a stadium after him.

HANGU:

A day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan criticised his party’s apathy towards  Aitizaz Hasan – the teenager who sacrificed his life to foil a suicide attack, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government announced honours for him and monetary compensation for his family

Two advisers to K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak,  Amjid Afridi and Ziaullah Afridi landed in Hangu via helicopter almost a week after the incident  to condole with the family on behalf of  Imran Khan and the chief minister.

The functionaries announced a compensation of Rs5 million for the family. They also announced to name Aitizaz’s school – Government High School, Ibrahimzai – after him and promised to build a stadium in Ibrahimzai, also to be named after Aitizaz.

On Sunday, K-P Governor Shaukatullah Khan also expressed condolence with the bereaved family on behalf of President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“The K-P government officials, who came in a helicopter today, were compelled after being insulted by their own chief,” said Pakistan Peoples Party’s Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nighat Orakzai, adding that the unclear policies of the government would further worsen the security situation in the province.

Family’s apprehensions

Aitizaz’s family members told The Express Tribune that they faced security threats after the incident grabbed international spotlight and the government recommended Aitizaz’s name for Sitara-e-Shujaat, adding that several foreign and local journalists had flocked to their house.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2014.