Govt. of Pakistan yet to announce compensation for Pervez Masih of International Islamic University

Islamabad: November 08, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The families who lost their loved ones during the International Islamic University blasts are passing through hard times due to criminal negligence of the government towards the families of victims who are expecting financial support looking to the government and philanthropists for.

Pervez Masih’s family is one of such families who laid his own life and saved hundreds of innocent female students as he successfully stopped the suicide bomber to enter the main hall of the cafeteria. But it is very strange that government had not announced any compensation for families of martyrs and injured students and employees.The family of late Pervez Masih is living in a very miserable condition because of his death. Although the university has offered his widow, Shaheen, an employment but it is not enough.

Pervez is survived by one daughter, Dia. Though he had three brothers and four sisters but they all live separately and never supported Pervez and his old mother ever except Parveen who is the youngest sister among all the members living with her mother and Pervez’s family in a rented house. Now all the responsibility rests with Parveen to look after her mother in a meager salary.

“I took out loan of Rs 20,000 for funeral and to serve guests since his death who have been arriving to condole. We were very happy because Pervez had recently got this job and he had not received a single salary yet. No compensation can lessen our grief and we have no greed for any amount but life has become so tough,” remarked self-esteemed Parveen.

Kurshaid Bibi, mother of the deceased, after the death of Pervez has become too weak and cannot work and see in this old age. Since his death to visit the graveyard again and again and spend hours weeping and grieving has become her routine.

Pervez was their only hope. She has struggled all her life and raised her all children earning herself as Pervez’s farther had died very early when they were too young, a neighbourer stated while telling about the plight of Khurshaid who is still in a state of shock and cannot express her grief.

Two suicide blasts rocked the International Islamic University Islamabad on October 20 killing 8 and injuring about 30 students and staff members but there was no financial support for them at all and the university has been bearing all the expenses of treatment of victims. Five students are still under treatment in different hospitals and university has spent millions of rupees on their treatment. One student, Amna Batool, who expired later, the university spent Rs 2,500,000 only on her treatment.

The government should compensate Pervez’s family as well as other bereaved families. This is being done all over the country and the government should not deprive International Islamic University, Islamabad  victims of this support. The community should also come forward to help IIUI victims.

News source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/print/Regional/05-Nov-2009/Govt-yet-to-announce-compensation