The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra on Tuesday distributed compensation cheques among the victims of twin blasts in Parachinar. The Governor visited Parachinar and met a delegation of victim families. He also distributed compensation cheques of Rs one million among the heirs of martyrs and Rs 0.5 million among the injured. Members of parliament from Kurram Agency, senior civil and military officials; tribal elders and the close relatives of the martyrs were also present on this occasion.
Speaking at the jirga, Jhagra said that the country armed forces, as well as civilians, had rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terror. He said the people's sacrifices against terrorism and extremism would never squander. The elements poised to undermine the unity and development of Pakistan would face defeat, he added.
It is pertinent to mention, 75 people were killed and more than 250 injured in twin bomb blasts in Parachinar on June 30. Parachinar tribal people have staged an eight-day long sit-in against the terror incident. However, after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif increased the compensation amount for the victims and Army Chief's assurance to fulfil their demands, the victims called off their protest.
Iqbal Jhagra has said that we can get rid of the curse of terrorism by maintaining complete unity in our ranks and files. The state, he added, is responsible to protecting the life and property of the people and the present government is very much fulfilling its responsibilities in this respect. The elements involved in the heinous act of terrorism will be brought to court of law and justice", he remarked.
While expressing his deep sympathies with the members of the bereaved families, the Governor said that the monitory support can never be an alternative to the precious lives. However, he added, it is just a token of the deeply felt grief on our part. The terrorists, he added, are out to deter our national unity and integrity but they could never be succeeded.
The Governor said that all out measures are underway to ensure security and stability in the region and in this connection sacrifices being rendered by the tribal people as well as the Pak Army are appreciable which would never be allowed to go in vain. He also offered Fateha for the eternal peace of the departed souls and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
While expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, the Governor assured that the elements involved in the heinous crime would be brought to justice. Responding to the demands presented by tribal elders, the Governor announced establishment of a 50-bedded trauma centre at Parachinar and also ordered up-gradation of the Agency headquarter hospital.
The Governor said that concrete measures are underway to bring further improvement in working of health and education sectors in FATA. While referring to FATA reforms process, he said that the delay in this respect is taking place; just because of the ongoing efforts to ensuring complete consensus and to taking the entire population from across FATA into confidence on this account. Earlier, on arrival at Parachinar, the Governor was accorded warm welcome. He was also briefed on the law and order situation in the agency on this occasion.