Abbottabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to wipe out the menace of smuggling and make the country abode of peace.
He made the remarks during his visit to the residence of late Customs Inspector Syed Hasnain Ali Tirmizi, who was martyred in a firing incident in Dera Ismail Khan a few days ago.
On the occasion, the premier offered fateha for the martyr and presented a cheque to the bereaved family under Shuhada package.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and senior government officers.
During interaction with the family members, the prime minister showed compassion and affection to the orphaned children and called them the “children of a hero” and his father the “father of a hero” of whom the whole nation felt proud.
The prime minister paid tribute to the late customs inspector who sacrificed his life while fighting against the smuggling and to save billions of dollars for the national economy.
PM Shehbaz also lauded the patience and perseverance of the martyred customs inspector’s father and apprised him of his government’s ongoing efforts to curb smuggling, citing his multiple meetings on the subject.
He said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), law enforcement agencies and interior ministry were in cohesion to curb the menace of smuggling through collaboration with the provincial institutions.
“The elimination of smuggling is as essential as the recovery of the national economy. Economic stability cannot be achieved without curbing the smuggling. This is my foremost responsibility as well as of my government,” he remarked.
He also thanked Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, KP government, provincial chief secretary, and Inspector General of KP Police for their support in the federal government’s endeavour against smuggling so that people could use their produce and the country could earn foreign exchange through exports by legal means.
“I want to tell the federal and provincial government representatives that smuggling is our common enemy and we have to fight this out… Let us pledge not to spare any effort to curb smuggling to save billions of dollars for the national economy. If we set this goal, Allah will grant us success otherwise, we will be questioned on the day of judgment,” the prime minister remarked.
The father of martyred Customs Inspector Hasnain Tirmizi thanked the prime minister for visiting and sympathizing with them.
He told the prime minister that his son was inducted into the service just 22 months ago and added that he felt proud of him for opting to die with dignity while fighting for the country.
Announcing the Shuhada package, PM Shehbaz said that he said that the Shuhada Package, earlier announced by the Punjab government, had now been extended to the federal government and could be revised further considering the country’s financial position.
He said that the package will support the families of the federal government officials martyred in the line of duty, comprising cash assistance, housing allowance as well as free education and medical treatment.
Under the package, the family members of a martyred sepoy would get Rs 10 million cash assistance and Rs 13.5 million housing allowance besides free education and medical treatment. The family of a martyred customs inspector would be entitled for a Rs15 million cash and Rs25 million housing allowance along with free education and medical facilities.
The package will also apply to civilian officials, police and law enforcement agencies.