LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Saturday ordered the federal government and provinces to compensate people who suffered losses in terms of destroyed or damaged properties during protests following the apex court verdict in the Aasia Bibi case, ARY News reported.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar sought report from concerned officials after implementation of court orders.
The court also inquired why the affectees were not compensated after a lapse of two and a half months of the protest. “Protection of life and property of citizens is the responsibility of the government.”
A home department official informed the court that losses incurred during the protests had been calculated. “Losses in Punjab amount to Rs 262.”
He also said the government would soon start disbursing compensation amount to the affectees.
On Nov 7, Justice Nisar took suo motu notice of the losses caused by the riots that broke out in the country during the three-day protests organised by a group of religio-political parties over the acquittal of Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman, of blasphemy charges.
The CJP had directed the federal and the provincial governments to submit reports within three days on the losses and steps taken to compensate victims of these riots.
CJP Nisar took notice “on media reports that huge losses have been caused to general public on account of judgement delivered by Supreme Court in Asia Masih Case,” a statement issued by the apex court said.
