Kundi announces cash payments of up to Rs70m in place of residential plots, increased injury compensation
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi speaks at a press conference in Peshawar. SCREENGRAB
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday announced a revised welfare package for police personnel and their families, increasing compensation for officers martyred in the line of duty to up to Rs35 million and replacing residential plots allotted to bereaved families with cash payments of up to Rs70 million.
Speaking at a media briefing, Kundi said the measures had been finalised over the previous two to three days in consultation with the inspector-general of police and the chief secretary. “We have taken measures for the police over the past two to three days, and today we are putting them into practice,” he said, adding that further steps would follow.
Under the revised compensation package, the families of martyred constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), sub-inspectors (SIs) and inspectors would receive Rs17 million, up from Rs11 million.
For the families of martyred deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and assistant superintendents of police (ASPs), compensation had increased from Rs16 million to Rs25 million.
The families of martyred superintendents of police (SPs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs), assistant inspectors-general and officers in grades 18 and 19 would receive Rs30 million, compared with the previous Rs21 million.
For the families of deputy inspectors-general (DIGs), additional inspectors-general, the inspector-general of police and officers in grade 20 and above, compensation had increased from Rs21 million to Rs35 million.
Kundi said the government had also increased compensation for police personnel who suffered serious injuries or permanent disabilities while on duty. Payments for permanent disability had risen from Rs500,000 to Rs5 million, while compensation for severe injuries had increased from Rs100,000 to Rs1.5 million.
Cash payments to replace residential plots
Kundi said the government had revised the scheme under which residential plots were allotted to the families of martyred police personnel, as some families faced difficulties when plots were allocated far from their hometowns.
“If a family belonged to Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat or Bannu, it could be allotted a plot in Nowshera or Swat, which created difficulties for the family,” he said.
Under the revised scheme, families would receive cash instead of plots, allowing them to choose their own housing arrangements.
Families of martyred constables and head constables, who were previously entitled to five-marla plots, would receive Rs18 million in cash. Those previously entitled to seven-marla plots would receive Rs25 million, while families entitled to 10-marla plots would receive Rs35 million.
Families of officers of SP and SSP rank and above, who were previously entitled to one-kanal plots, would receive Rs70 million in cash.
Kundi said the payments would allow bereaved families to rent a house or purchase a plot or home in a location of their choice.
Compensation for families of serving police personnel
The governor said the government had introduced a compensation package for close relatives of serving police personnel, including their spouses, children, parents and siblings, who could also face security threats. “Just as our police officers face risks, their families can also be targeted,” he said.
Under the new package, Rs5 million would be paid if a police officer’s spouse or child was killed in a targeted attack. If an officer’s parent, brother or sister was killed in such an attack, the compensation would amount to Rs3 million.
Kundi also announced compensation for police personnel killed while off duty. The families of constables, ASIs and inspectors killed while off duty would receive Rs4 million, while those of DSPs and ASPs would receive Rs5 million. Families of SPs, SSPs and officers in grades 18 and 19 would receive Rs7 million.
Wedding and education assistance
Kundi announced special financial assistance of Rs10 million for the weddings of daughters of martyred police personnel. He also said the government planned to establish a fund to support the education of children whose parents had been martyred while serving in the police.
He said he had directed the inspector-general of police to ask the police welfare department to approach educational institutions and banks for contributions through their corporate social responsibility funds.
The proposed fund would cover the children’s education, including studies abroad, and help them become financially independent. The government and police would also seek to help them secure employment, he added.
Police salaries and recruitment
The governor said police salaries had been increased by more than expected, adding that details of the revised pay package would be announced soon. The aim was to make the provincial police’s salary package more competitive than those offered in other provinces, he added.
Kundi stated that 17,000 posts in the K-P police were vacant. He had directed the inspector-general to expedite recruitment and promotions and fill the vacancies to ensure the force could perform its duties effectively. “We need to fill the vacant posts so that the police can be fully equipped to perform their duties,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, he said the government would continue taking measures to promote peace, development and prosperity in the province.
“The days of differences between the province and the federation are gone. The whole of Pakistan is ours. The federation is not our enemy, and Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan are not our enemies. We have to work together for peace, prosperity and development in the province,” he added.
Earlier this week, Kundi distributed residential plot allotment letters to the families of 54 martyred police personnel at a ceremony at the Governor’s House.
He said the government was preparing a broader welfare package to increase police salaries and compensation for officers killed or injured on duty, alongside financial assistance for housing, education and other needs of bereaved families.
The federal government imposed governor’s rule in K-P on October 11, following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice.
The move transferred executive authority from the provincial government to Governor Kundi, while an emergency was declared in 12 districts under Article 232 of the Constitution.
The federal government cited worsening security concerns and authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army to assist the civil administration.
