KHYBER AGENCY - Three cardiac patients have expired due to the delay in release of financial assistance for their treatment from the Atlasi Khyber Endowment Fund, administration sources in Khyber tribal region told The Nation on Monday.
The official, who wished not to be named, said the deceased applicants had submitted all the documents to the administration office for release of aid a few months ago. They were identified as Qaseem Khan, Bibi Anara and Omer of Jamrud tehsil.
More deaths are feared if the political agent delays release of funds to other patients.
One of the applicants, Hakimullah Shinwari of Landi Kotal, said, “I applied for aid two months ago to get my father, Ayanullah, a heart patient, treated, but I have not received any assistance yet.”
According to Hakimullah, his father has been asked to undergo a heart surgery as soon as possible by doctors of Lady Reading Hospital, but he is unable to stump up Rs3,80,000 for the operation. “I have tried several times to approach the political agent, but I am unable to get a hold of him to express my feelings.”
Salimur Rehman, a local journalist, said he submitted all the documents four months ago for medical assistance, but did not get a single penny. “I am still wandering here and there.” He said assistance from the fund established for poor patients of Khyber Agency was not being given on time.
Political Agent Mutahir Zeb’s cellphone was found switched off when this scribe tried to contact him for his version of the story. The Atlasi Khyber Endowment Fund was established in 2011 by former political agent Shafirullah Wazir from the official fund to provide financial assistance to ailing and needy tribesmen. According to details, around 100 heart, cancer, kidney, thalassemia and hepatitis patients have got more than Rs20 million so far.
PTI woman MNA concerned over NWA op
Staff Reporter from Peshawar adds: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Women MNA Aisha Gulali hailing from Waziristan Agency has expressed deep concern over the killing of innocent people in the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan Agency and asked the government to stop military assault until shifting of stranded families to safer places.
Addressing a news conference here at press club on Monday, Gulali said that the government without taking rest of political parties in confidence before launched military operation in Waziristan in which civilian population was being targeted. She said that innocent tribesmen were targeted in mortar-shelling resultantly dozens of tribal people, including women and children were killed and injured. The PTI leader also said that it was prime responsibility of the incumbent rulers to ensure protection of citizens’ lives and properties, as per the constitution and international law, particularly in conflict-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
She, however, lamented that military action was taken overnight instead of any prior intimation or announcement to citizens.
The MNA Gulali also cautioned that situation would further goes worse due to the ongoing violence against innocent tribesmen while it would also hamper peace efforts being carried out to eliminate terrorism and ensure sustainable peace in Fata. She said that the image of country was also badly affected internationally due to violation of global laws.
MNA Gulali demanded the federal government to forthwith halt the ongoing military action in North Waziristan Agency and ensure basic medical treatment to injured tribal people. She also demanded the government to announce a compensation package for the heir of deceased families.