Orakzai announces Rs 500,000 for heirs
PESHAWAR (APP), June 20 2006: The NWFP Governor Lt Gen Ali Muhammad Orakzai Monday said that three high level inquiry commissions have been set up to carry out fair and transparent investigations into the killing of tribal journalist Hayatullah whose body was found handÂcuffed on a road side Friday in Mir Ali, North Waziristan Agency. “The inquiry would be fair, true and transparent and nothing would be hidden from anyone and reports of the inquiry comÂmissions are likely to be comÂpleted in two weeks time”, the governor held out this categoriÂcal assurance to a delegation of Khyber Union of journalists led by its President Intikhab Amir that met him here at the Governor’s House.
The judicial Commission headed by Justice Raza Muhammad Khan a Judge of Peshawar High Court, Chairman Governor’s Inspection Team and Political Administration of the North Waziristan Agency is working to probe the murder of the tribal journalist. The reports of the commissions would make clear the picture of the whole tragic episode and end controÂversies and speculations about the incident. “We need to have an objective inquiry to trace out the real picture,” he added.
The governor on this occasion also announced Rs 5,00,000 compensation for the heirs of the deceased journalist. This amount is in addition to the amount anÂnounced by the prime minister the other day. The compensation would reach the family members of the slain journalist by June 19 morning. In reply to a question about ban on the journalists’ visit to tribal areas, Orakzai said, “There is no such ban and journalists are free to go any where in FATA. Your role is of paramount imÂportance in establishing peace and calm in troubled spot in the tribal belt. Press is an important pillar of national segment as it educates the society”. However, he advised the journalists to be very careful while handling stories about tribal region as it has become an internaÂtional focus and any mishandling at this difficult time would furÂther complicate the situation there.
He said journalists could conÂtact him any time, as he was only a telephone call away. Expressing regret over the killÂing of Hayatullah, the governor said it is a great tragedy and the government is serious to trace out the culprits. Later, the governor also gifted pen to the journalists with the condition to use it for objective reporting about the tribal areas.
“I want to bring attitudinal change in FATA by giving open in the hands of the tribal youth in place of guns”, he told the journalist in a light vein. Similarly 200 to 250 students from tribal educational institutions would be invited to the Governor House to motivate them about the importance of education and menace of Kalashnikov culture, he said.
Source: The Nation
Date:6/20/2006
