- General Bajwa orders inquiry against FC for opening fire on civilians
- COAS points out clear evidence of foreign hand in recent terror incidents
- A safe city project announced for Kurram Agency by installing CCTV cameras
The sit-in of Parachinar was called off on Friday evening by the protesters after a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa who lamented the firing by the Frontier Constabulary personnel last week, which had resulted in the death of four civilians.
“An inquiry has been initiated and that those responsible shall not be spared,” according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. Gen Bajwa said that the FC Commandant in Parachinar has already been changed following the firing incident by FC troops while handling the post-blast mob situation.
“Notwithstanding the irreparable loss, four martyrs and injured due to the firing have been given separate compensation by the FC,” the army chief was quoted as saying. The military’s media wing said that the government has now announced compensation for Parachinar victims at par with other such victims elsewhere in the country.
The sit-in was staged in Parachinar by the families and residents to protests against lack of security and continued terrorists attacks after a twin bombing on June 23 killed dozens. A committee will be formed to address the grievances of the local population, said Allama Muzamil Hussain, a tribal representative.
Those killed in the firing incident will be given the martyr’s package and their family members will be allotted government employment. Allama Hussain said that those effected by terrorism would be given a compensation package as given in other parts of the country.
Addressing a Jirgah, the army chief assured locals that steps were being taken to make Parachinar a safe city by installing CCTV cameras. He expressed his grief at the loss of innocent lives as a result of recent terrorist attacks in the city and promised to compensate the victims of terrorist bombings fairly.
The army chief was briefed on the security situation and updated on the Parachinar incident following his arrival in the city on Friday morning. “Our enemies shall never succeed to lower our resolve or to divide us,” General Bajwa said. The tribal elders expressed their full confidence and trust in the army and its leadership.
“We stand with our security forces and our blood is for our motherland. We all are Pakistanis,” the elders said. Meeting with the representatives of the sit-in, the army chief said that administrative concerns would be pursued with the executive body and suggestions regarding security mechanism were being incorporated.
“We can only be effective when locals are part of the security and vigilance,” he said. On the occasion, he said that local facilitators and abettors have been apprehended who will be tried in military courts. He said additional army troops have been deployed in Parachinar to enhance security while FC troops are being beefed up on the Pak-Afghan border to seal it effectively.
Referring to the border management, the army chief told the locals that border fencing was already in progress and sensitive areas of FATA were being fenced in the ongoing phase one of the project. He announced that the Army Public School of Parachinar would be upgraded to a cadet college. The establishment of a trauma centre by the army was announced and the civil hospital will be upgraded.
Upon arrival at Parachanar, General Bajwa was received by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt General Ahmad Nazir Butt and other high ranking officers of the armed forces and the Frontier Corps. Talking to media, ISPR Director General Asif Ghafoor said that the army chief after attending briefing also met with tribal elders and apprised him of their demands and miseries.
In response to a question, the ISPR chief said that fencing of border along with Afghanistan was in progress and it could be completed in two phases. In first phase, most sensitive or easy for terrorists will be fenced. Whereas the rest portion of the Pak-Afghan border will be fenced, he added. The COAS has announced visiting Parachanar couple of days back but due to rough weather he delayed the trip.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced compensation money for the families of people killed and those who were injured in the Parachinar blasts on June 23. As per the announcement, one million rupees will be given to the families of people killed in the blasts while Rs0.5 million has been announced for those left injured by the explosions.
At least 75 people lost their lives and over 300 were injured in the back-to-back bombings that hit the city on June 23. The first blast occurred as people were busy shopping for Iftar and Eid in the Turi Bazaar area, close to a crowded bus terminal in Parachinar. The second explosion took place as people rushed to provide aid and rescue the wounded from the first explosion.
