Peshawar – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is undertaking actionable measures to revive a long-dormant program to support minority families that have suffered in terror attacks throughout the province with financial aid.
This initiative, being driven by the Auqaf and Religious Affairs department, is expected to provide much-needed relief to the families of the victims and martyrs, especially of the attack at All Saints Church in Peshawar.
Urging Deputy Commissioners for Immediate Action
Recently, in a letter addressed to all the deputy commissioners in the province, the Auqaf Department has asked them to provide detailed information on minority families who have fallen victim to terrorism since 2013.
This data is to be submitted within 10 days, which highlights the urgency of this critical issue.
Meeting Scheduled for the End of September
The initiative undertaken by the department, according to Wazirzada, the Focal Person to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Minority Affairs, is a subset of a larger initiative to afford some tangible support to these vulnerable communities.
He said that a significant meeting, which will be chaired by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is likely to be held by the end of September. This meeting will play a critical role in deciding on financial contributions and other forms of relief.
“This matter is particularly focused on the martyrs and victims of All Saints Church Peshawar,” Wazirzada said, highlighting the government’s special attention to this devastating event.
The All-Saints Church attack of September 2013 was one of the most fatal attacks against the Christian community in the history of Pakistan in the country, killing over 80 people.
Reviving the Terrorism Victims Rehabilitation Act
The present initiative aims to enforce the terms of the Terrorism Victims Rehabilitation Act, which was enacted in 2020.
The provisions of this act were officially enforced one year later in 2021, but Wazirzada observed that, unfortunately, the process was halted due to the ousting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. He added that the program was “completely ignored during the long-running caretaker government.”
The current government, however, is determined to rectify this oversight. Wazirzada emphasized that a serious effort has been initiated to “reactivate this process and provide relief to the affected families as they deserve.” This fresh initiative marks a new dedication to the well-being of the minority communities in a province that has suffered a lot due to militancy.
