Martyred journalist's father's plea to PM

The family of martyred journalist Musa Khankel from Swat, has appealed to the prime minister to expedite the process of handing over of the residential plot in Islamabad as promised by the government. Talking to media persons on Saturday, father of the slain journalist, Abdul Ghani, said that his son was murdered by the militants on February 18 in 2009 when Maulana Sufi Muhammad's peace rally entered Matta tehsil.
He said the PM Yusuf Raza Gilani had promised to give residential plot to his family but added that they were still waiting for the plot after the tragic death of his son in Swat while performing his duty. He said Musa's tragic murder deeply grieved the journalist community and protests were held throughout the country, adding that Musa Khankhel was the first journalist martyred in Swat during the phase of striking peace deal.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari had announced compensation of Rs 500,000 for the bereaved family, besides that the Geo News had also announced a compensation of one million rupees and PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had announced a residential plot for the family.
Abdul Ghani said that the KP government also announced compensation of Rs 300,000 for the family. He said the press secretary to the PM, Imran Gerdaizi, had promised to resolve the issue within one week when contacted in April last year. He said he faxed the particulars requested by the secretary to the PM Secretariat and added that the secretary did not contact them again. Meanwhile, Essa Khankhel, younger brother of later Musa Khankhel, said he made several attempts to contact the PM Secretariat but all in vain. He said his mother and father were also among the internally displaced persons of Swat and they are living with relatives in Mardan.
"We offered sacrifices of our brother, Musa, and homes for peace in Swat but the officials' conduct in the PM Secretariat was cold towards us", said Essa adding, "I believe the PM is unaware of all such things otherwise we would have got the plot much earlier." He said that despite fulfilling all requirements asked by the PM Secretariat none of them had been contacted since then.