PESHAWAR: Families of 138 martyrs from Khyber district including former Khasadar and Levies personnel who lost their lives in the fight against militancy, on Tuesday demanded immediate restoration of the martyrs’ compensation package, alleging that it was discontinued after the merger of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, the families, led by Haji Iran Shah Afridi, appealed to both the provincial and federal governments to restore the package, saying they had been deprived of their rights since the merger despite repeated protests and appeals.

Mr Afridi said the families had remained loyal to the country and that the martyrs had sacrificed their lives for Pakistan’s peace and security. He claimed that many children of the martyrs were unable to continue their education, while widows were living without financial support or protection.

He alleged that after a protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, the families were invited to the Chief Minister’s House for a meeting with the then Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur through his focal person. However, he claimed they were kept waiting for nearly three hours in different rooms before the chief minister left the premises through another exit without meeting them.

Calling the incident “deeply disrespectful” and contrary to Pakhtun traditions, Mr Afridi said the families had exhausted all peaceful means to seek justice.

He warned that if the compensation package for the 138 affected families was not restored, they would establish a peaceful protest camp at Takhta Beg in Jamrud on August 4, observed as Martyrs’ Day, and would wave black flags during the official ceremony to register their protest.

Mr Afridi also urged the federal government to intervene if the provincial government was unable to address the issue, saying the families of those who sacrificed their lives for the country should not be left without support.

He appealed to the provincial government to announce immediate restoration of the martyrs’ package.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026