Let’s remember and honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect ours

Just like other countries, Pakistan’s history is marked by numerous significant days resulting from various incidents, inventions, and events. Among these, certain commemorative days like Independence Day and Republic Day stand out as unique. Today, we focus on “August 4.”

Pakistan is one of the few countries heavily affected by severe terrorism, and it continues to struggle with the repercussions. The US-Afghan war has had a profound impact on South Asia, with Pakistan being the most affected. The country has faced numerous terrorist incidents involving Afghan jihadists, the Taliban, ISIS, and banned militant organizations. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom and injury of thousands of innocent people, including members of the Pakistani armed forces and law enforcement agencies, and caused significant property damage worth billions of rupees.

August 4, 2010, was particularly tragic for Pakistan, especially for the police force, when IG KP Safwat Ghayoor was martyred in a suicide attack. His martyrdom deeply saddened the nation. KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) was the province most afflicted by terrorism, and Safwat Ghayoor sacrificed his life for peace. In recognition of his sacrifice and to honour other police martyrs, the Pakistani government declared August 4 as “Police Martyrs Day.”

Let’s now turn our attention to Sindh, which, after KP, was the second most affected province by terrorism. The nature of terrorist incidents in Sindh was somewhat different from those in KP. Sindh faced not only attacks by banned militant groups but also witnessed severe sectarian, political, linguistic, and group violence, including banditry, robberies, riots, target killings, extortion, and many other incidents. These events have claimed many lives, including those of police officers and other law enforcement personnel.

Martyrdom is a high honour in the path of God, and martyrs are considered alive in the eyes of God. Martyrdom means sacrificing one’s life for the sake of God, and the essence of this path is establishing peace. Sindh Police personnel have also achieved this high status by sacrificing their lives for peace. The history of Sindh Police includes many names of officers who laid down their lives while fighting terrorists, such as Shaheed Chaudhry Aslam, Ali Raza, Nasir ul Hassan, Bahawal Din Bahadur, Taufiq Zahid, Shafiq Tanoli, Arshad Butt, Zeeshan Kazmi, Aslam Hayat, Rehan, Nasir, and Bahadur Ali, who were a source of fear for terrorists.

In reviewing the number of martyrs from the Sindh Police over the past four years and up to July 15, 2024, we find that in 2020, there were 44; in 2021, 35; in 2022, 31; in 2023, 43; and up to July 15, 2024, 18 police officers and personnel have sacrificed their lives. Similarly, during intelligence-based operations against bandits in the kacha areas, the numbers are as follows: in 2020, Ghotki 1, Kashmore 1, Shikarpur 1; in 2021, Ghotki 1, Shikarpur 3; in 2022, Ghotki 5, Kashmore 1, Shikarpur 1; in 2023, Ghotki 4, Kashmore 4, Shikarpur 3; and up to July 15, 2024, Ghotki 2, Kashmore 4, and Shikarpur 9.

The Sindh government and police department have never left the families of martyrs alone. Various measures have been taken, including martyr packages, benefits, widow funds, jobs for families, scholarships for children, and other necessary steps. For the families of Sindh Police martyrs, the department provides financial aid for bomb blasts, police encounters, target killings, security duties, and counter-terrorism efforts up to 10 million rupees.

For traffic accidents during duty, 0.1 million rupees are given; two jobs in the Sindh Police department; monthly salary payments until the martyr’s age of 60; up to 0.1 million rupees in medical assistance; 300,000 rupees for funeral expenses; rank-wise group insurance; marriage grants of 100,000 rupees for two children; educational scholarships from selected institutions; departmental benefits until the retirement age of the martyr; leave encashment, gross pension, gratuity, and GP fund disbursement after 60 years or retirement; 17.5 million rupees for constables and lower ranks, and up to 60 million rupees for DIG-rank officers, with 23.5 million rupees for counter-terrorism martyrs of constable ranks and up to 70 million rupees for DIG-rank officers, including home purchasing funds.

Establishing peace is a result of the joint efforts of all stakeholders. Any imbalance due to a lack or excess of effort can disrupt peace, sometimes making even noble goals appear excessive. As a nation, it is our primary duty to strengthen our cooperation, trust, and support for the police, the fundamental institution in maintaining peace, and to avoid any incidents that might lead to loss of human lives. After all, police personnel have families, friends, and loved ones just like anyone else, and they are an integral part of our society.

The writer is Director Press/Public Relations Officer for IGP Sindh