ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday announced financial assistance of Rs 2.5 million each for the heirs of the two deceased Pakistan International Airline employees.

The said PIA employees were killed during a firing incident outside the Karachi airport during a protest against the proposed privatisation of the national flag carrier.

According to a PM House statement, the prime minister said “loss of the lives of PIA employees was not only a loss to their families and friends but also to the national flag carrier”.

He also announced half a million rupees each for the PIA employees who got injured in the incident.

The prime minister also announced one job each in the PIA for the family members of both the deceased employees — according to their qualifications.

“The government will pursue the investigations to find out those responsible for the murder of PIA employees,” he assured.

Moreover, the families would also be kept informed on regular basis about the progress made in the investigations, he added.

Two protesters had died after sustaining bullet wounds after security personnel resorted to baton-charging and using rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas shells in a bid to disperse protesting PIA employees at Jinnah Terminal February 3.

The member of PIA's engineering department Inayat Raza, who sustained a bullet wound in his chest during the protest, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.

Another official Saleem had also died after sustaining bullet wounds.

Deputy Inspector General East Kamran Fazal said bullet casings were collected to ascertain who opened fire on the protesters. He claimed the bullets were not fired by policemen.

"We instructed our personnel not to handle the protesters violently. We are trying to find out who initiated the clash," he said.

"No Rangers personnel has fired to control the protest at Jinnah Terminal," Rangers Public Relations Officer had said in an official statement.