Shangla/Alpuri
On the special directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, financial assistance cheques worth Rs. 500,000 per family were distributed among the families of the 34 miners who lost their lives in the Sorenj coal mine tragedy in Balochistan.
The financial assistance was provided by the Government of Balochistan for the bereaved families.
In this regard, a condolence and relief ceremony was held in Alpuri, Shangla, which was attended by distinguished officials from Balochistan, political and social figures, representatives of the Workers Welfare Fund, elected members of the assemblies, and the families of the deceased miners.
During the ceremony, prayers were offered for the departed souls of the Sorenj tragedy victims, while heartfelt condolences and sympathies were extended to their families.
The ceremony was addressed by Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Islamabad Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed, President of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Intikhab Khan Chemkni, Ibrahim Mengal, Mushtaq Jaffer, Governing Body Member Pir Muhammad Kakar, Adnan Amir Muqam, and Member of the Provincial Assembly from Shangla Irshad Khan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Islamabad Zulfiqar Ahmed described the Sorenj tragedy as an extremely tragic and major incident. He said that mine workers are the backbone of the country’s economy.
These workers perform their duties under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions, risking their lives for the national economy. Therefore, he said, protecting their lives and property is a fundamental responsibility of the state and the relevant institutions.
He said that if any negligence or lapse is found to have contributed to the Sorenj tragedy, those responsible would be brought to justice and punished according to the law.
Zulfiqar Ahmed said that he was present there on the instructions of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain to express condolences to the bereaved families and share in their grief.
He assured the families that the government would not leave them alone and that every possible step would be taken to address their problems.
He further stated that the existing laws would be reviewed in consultation with mine workers and their families, and efforts would be made to introduce amendments in accordance with current needs to further safeguard the rights, safety, and welfare of miners.
The Secretary Workers Welfare Fund made a special announcement that the educational expenses of the children of the Sorenj tragedy victims would be borne by the Workers Welfare Fund.
He said steps would also be taken to provide them with opportunities to study at high-quality and reputable educational institutions. He emphasized that securing the future of the victims’ children is among the priorities of the government and the Workers Welfare Fund.
Addressing the gathering, Ibrahim Mengal, Additional Secretary Mines and Minerals Balochistan, said that legal proceedings had already been initiated against those involved in and responsible for the Sorenj tragedy.
He stated that an FIR had been registered in connection with the incident, while, on the directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, a high-level inquiry committee had investigated the matter and action had been taken against those found responsible.
He said that they were present not merely to distribute financial assistance cheques but also to share the grief of the victims’ families and express solidarity with them. He extended heartfelt condolences to all the heirs of the Sorenj tragedy victims and said that the government fully understood their grief and difficulties.
Mushtaq Jaffer, Commissioner Compensation Workman Balochistan, expressed the Balochistan government’s deep sympathy and solidarity with the families of the deceased. He said that, on the special instructions of the Balochistan Chief Minister, he had come to Shangla to share the grief of the bereaved families.
He said that although the financial assistance provided by the government could help affected families meet some of their needs, no financial assistance could ever compensate for the loss of a human life. He emphasized that the real need was to take effective and practical measures to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
Governing Body Member Pir Muhammad Kakar said that he stood with mine workers and would continue to stand with them until they received justice. He said that the Sorenj tragedy was not the first incident of its kind; several similar tragic incidents had occurred in the past during mining operations, resulting in the loss of precious human lives.
He stressed the need to make mining laws more effective and stringent and to ensure strict implementation of safety regulations so that those responsible for negligence or carelessness could not escape the law under any circumstances.
He said that protecting the lives of mine workers was not merely an administrative matter but an important requirement of human rights and the state’s responsibility.
Adnan Amir Muqam thanked the distinguished guests from Balochistan for visiting Shangla, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, and sharing in their grief.
He said that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) government stood with the poor, workers, and laborers of the country and was taking every possible measure for their welfare and well-being. He said the government’s objective was not merely to provide financial assistance but also to ensure a safe and dignified future for workers and their families.
Member of the Provincial Assembly from Shangla, Irshad Khan, announced that a special convention would be organized regarding the issues, rights, and welfare of mine workers in Shangla. Mine workers, their representatives, relevant officials, and other stakeholders would be invited to the convention.
He said that practical proposals would be formulated at the convention to address the problems faced by mine workers, and the agreed-upon recommendations would be implemented through mutual consensus.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, in the presence of the distinguished guests from Balochistan and Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Islamabad Zulfiqar Ahmed, all the financial assistance cheques worth Rs. 500,000 each for the families of the 34 victims of the Sorenj tragedy were handed over to Deputy Commissioner Pir Abdullah for distribution among the deserving families.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Pir Abdullah expressed his special gratitude to the Government of Balochistan, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed, and all other relevant authorities for expressing solidarity with the families of the Sorenj tragedy victims and taking practical steps to provide them with financial assistance.
