PESHAWAR: Relatives of the martyred special police officers on Tuesday held a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club against the government for suspending payment of salaries to the families of the victims.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, the protesters said the government had promised to continue payment of salaries to the victims’ families.

Talking to mediapersons, Mohammad Shafiq, said his son, Liaquat Khan, a special police officer, had lost life in a bomb blast on Dalazak Road in 2013, but the government stopped his salaries five months after his death.

He said most of the fallen policemen were the lone breadwinners for their families, adding the Shuhada package was meant to compensate and support the families as an acknowledgement of their sacrifices, but many of the families of special police officers were ignored for unknown reasons.

“My son has left behind three children but I have no resources to arrange for their education and meet other requirements,” complained Mohammad Shafiq. He alleged that those having contacts with influential people had been given the compensation package, but about 100 families were not allowed to approach the relevant officials. “We are left with only option to protest,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2020