MIRPURKHAS: The survivors of the Samjhota Express incident are still deprived of the compensation of one million rupees announced by the Indian government and Rs 0.5 million by the federal government despite the lapse of four years.
Talking to Pakistan Today, a resident of Kharpara, Mirpurkhas, Muhammad Shakeel and his younger brother Muhammad Nadeem said they were coming back from India to Pakistan on late night of 18th February 2007 that suddenly a bomb blast killed more than 60 Pakistani travelers, including their mother, father and two sisters.
He said their father Fateh Muhammad alias Pirjee, mother Raeesa, sisters Ayesha and Saiba were burnt alive on the spot. They were seriously injured and rushed to Panipat Hospital from where they were referred to Delhi Hospital. Muhammad Nadeem said India announced one Rs one million compensation and Pakistan Rs 0.5 million each to the heirs of those killed in the blast but the amount had not been paid so far.
Muhammad Shakeel said he had written hundreds of letters to Pakistani and Indian high commissions and ministers for foreign affairs of both the countries, but to no avail. He said he also met the officials of Indian consulate general and diplomats but they were not ready to provide me with death certificates, graveyard certificates as well as announced compensations.
He said they finally demanded the DNA tests which were issued by Qadir Khan DNA Institute Islamabad and sent to Indian authorities. Shakeel and Nadeem have appealed to President Asif Ali zardari, Pime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreing Minister Shah Muhammad Qureshi and Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice in this regard and provide them with death certificates, graveyard certificates and pay the compensation announced by the India and Pakistani.
They said they were very poor and unable to bear the fare and other expenses of travel for the proceedings of the case.
