Equal footing: Bring compensation for cops at par with other provinces recommends SHC

CJ Baqar notes that other govt servants are paid higher than the police.

KARACHI:

Sindh High Court bench has recommended the Sindh government bring the compensation payments for the martyred policemen at par with the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

Headed by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar, the Sindh High Court bench made this recommendation to the government on Friday while hearing a petition seeking the payment of compensation to cops killed in the line of duty in the province.

Legal AIG Ali Sher Jakhrani informed the bench that, of the total 312 martyred policemen, the families of 308 have been paid Rs2 million each in compensation, while four cases are pending with the accountant general (AG). Similarly, out of 127 injured cops, 106 have already been given compensation and 21 cases are pending with the AG.

The bench directed the Sindh AG to ensure such cases are heard within a week and the payments are made to the remaining families within 10 days.

Jakhrani said that the Sindh police chief has requested the provincial government enhance the amount of compensation to be paid to the families of the martyred police personnel from Rs2 million to Rs10 million, which is being paid to their counterparts in the Punjab and KPK.

"We would, therefore, strongly recommend to the Government of Sindh to consider the request sympathetically," stated SHC chief justice Maqbool Baqar. "The same seems fully justified for the reason among others that our police personnel have and are fighting against terrorism, fearlessly with national zeal and professional commitment."

The judges observed that even when the police constable is alive and serving as a bread earner to his family, it is difficult for the family to sustain. After his sudden death, it becomes impossible for the family to survive without adequate compensation and support from the government.

CJ Baqar said that the court noted that the rate of compensation given to government servants other than the law enforcers is far higher, which is not only unfair but is highly inadequate. "Such is also necessary for the reason that the province of Sindh, especially Karachi, is one of the such places that are facing the brunt of terrorism and so many law enforcing personnel in Karachi have laid their lives their fighting against the terrorists, and while serving their fellow countrymen."

The bench members noted that it is also painful that the compensation to the families of the martyred and injured cops is paid after long delays. They suggested the government form a mechanism to overcome these delays. The bench said that sufficient funds should be allocated to the Sindh government for this.

While disposing of the petition, the judges appreciated the efforts made by AIG Jakhrani and Welfare AIG Ahmed Jamalur Rehman to ensure payments to the families of the martyred policemen.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2014.