Lahore: Provincial Minister for Law Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan on Tuesday chaired an important meeting at the Home Department to review the provision of financial assistance, residential facilities and other benefits to the families of police personnel martyred in the line of duty under the Punjab government’s Shuhada Package.
Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Additional Inspector General of Police Imran Arshad, Additional Secretary (Police) Kanwar Anwar Ali Khan, DIG Welfare Mehboob Rashid and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The meeting approved financial assistance, residential houses and other benefits under the Shuhada Package for the families of 14 police personnel who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty in Bhakkar, Layyah, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Rajanpur, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal.
Under Package-I, benefits were approved for the families of Constables Muhammad Shahbaz and Muhammad Faheem, who were martyred in a terrorist attack on the Dajal Check Post in Bhakkar, and Constable Muhammad Asad Naseer, who embraced martyrdom while fighting terrorists in Layyah.
Package-II was approved for the families of Sub-Inspector Shahid Pervaiz of Bahawalnagar, Sub-Inspector Amir Rizwan of Sargodha, Constable Muhammad Nasir of Rajanpur, Driver Constable Iftikhar Ahmad of Faisalabad and Constable Mirza Umar Aftab Baig of Gujrat.
Package-III was approved for the families of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Zaman Zia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bashir and Constable Muhammad Waris of Bahawalnagar, Constable Muhammad Bismillah of Dera Ghazi Khan, Constable Muhammad Ramzan of Rahim Yar Khan and Constable Tahir-uz-Zaman Siddiqui of Sahiwal.
The meeting was informed that under Package-I, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs10 million, a five-marla house and other prescribed benefits. Under Package-II, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs4 million, a five-marla house and other benefits, while the family of a martyred Assistant Sub-Inspector would receive Rs5 million, a seven-marla house and other benefits.
Under Package-III, the family of a martyred constable would receive Rs3. 5 million and other benefits, while the families of martyred Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors would receive Rs4 million along with other prescribed benefits.
Addressing the meeting, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the martyrs were the pride of the nation, the crown of the people’s heads and the true heroes of the homeland. He said the sacrifices of brave police personnel in protecting the country, maintaining law and order and safeguarding the public would always be remembered.
The minister directed the authorities to ensure the immediate payment of all financial dues and provision of residential facilities and other benefits to the families of the martyrs. He said no negligence or unnecessary delay would be tolerated.
He further said that no injustice would be allowed against any martyr’s family and that the Punjab government would continue to extend full support to the bereaved families.
The minister said terrorists responsible for martyring police personnel in the line of duty would be brought to justice in accordance with the law, adding that the fight against anti-state elements would continue with full determination.
The meeting concluded with prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs, the security and prosperity of Pakistan, and patience and strength for their bereaved families.