ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif enhanced on Wednesday assistance for the families of government employees who die in service.

In case the deceased employee belongs to BS-1 to -16 his/her family will be paid Rs2.5 million. Heirs of BS-17 employees will be paid Rs4m, families of BS-18 and -19 employees Rs8m and those of BS-20 or above Rs9m.

In case of security-related death the amount for BS 1-16 has been increased to Rs3m, for BS-17 to Rs5m, for BS 18-19 to Rs9m and for BS-20 or above to Rs10m.

In case of both in-service and security-related death full pay and allowances will be authorised to the bereaved family till the date of superannuation, with increments and with full benefits of the revised rates of all pay and allowances as allowed by the government from time to time.

The family will be allowed retention of government house or payment of rent for hired house for five years or till the age of superannuation, whichever is later.

Free education up to level of school / college / university, including tuition fee, books, related material and living allowance, will be allowed to the children of the deceased.

Cash payment at the rate of Rs2m for BS 1-8, Rs5m for BS 9-16 and Rs7m for BS-17 and above will be made to the family in lieu of a plot of land.

Employment will be given to widow/widower, one son or daughter to a post in BS 1-15, on a regular basis without advertisement against the post criteria of which the applicant fulfils.

In terms of GP Fund, the approved assistance package includes 50 per cent bonus for employees in BS 1-3, while 30pc bonus for employees in BS 4-22.

In case of a security-related death a special lump sum grant from Benevolent Fund ranging from Rs200,000 to Rs500,000 has been approved.

The departments concerned have also been given guidelines regarding timely filing of assistance cases and streamlining pension procedure and payments.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2014