Amir Muqam announces compensation for Hattar gas incident victims

HARIPUR: Federal Minister for Kashmir affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Amir Muqam on Saturday visited the family of victims killed in a gas leak incident at the Hattar Industrial Estate, where eight members of a single family died, and announced financial assistance for those affected.

Muqam offered condolences and prayers for the deceased, describing the loss as irreparable.

He said the federal government would provide compensation of Rs1 million for each deceased victim and Rs500,000 for those injured.

“Lives lost in this tragic incident cannot be brought back,” Muqam said, adding that both federal and provincial authorities must ensure immediate support for the affected family.

He also called for the establishment of a burn unit in the industrial area and urged authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the incident, with action against any officials or departments found responsible.

Authorities said the explosion in a gas pipeline at the Hattar Industrial Estate killed eight members of the same family, including women and children, while at least 11 others were injured and remain under treatment in hospitals.

Meanwhile, funeral prayer for the victims was held in Hattar, which was attended by local officials, political and religious figures, and residents. The incident has left the Haripur district in mourning.

Meanwhile, the Hazara commissioner has formed a seven-member committee, headed by the Haripur deputy commissioner, to investigate the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. The committee is expected to submit its report within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, police said an official was suspended and arrested for allegedly beating a relative of the affected family.

District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur said action would be taken against those found involved.

Haripur police had registered a case against police seven officials, including a check post in-charge, for allegedly assaulting relatives of victims killed in the Hattar gas pipeline explosion.

District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur ordered the registration of the case against Havaldar Yousaf and six other personnel over the alleged beating of a relative of the deceased family.

According to police, the main police official was arrested under sections 337, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and later sent to judicial jail on the orders of a senior civil judge in Haripur.

The case relates to an incident in which Ahmad Ali, uncle of children killed in the Hattar gas explosion, was allegedly subjected to severe violence by police and taken to a police station before being released following public pressure.

A video statement attributed to Yousaf circulated on social media, in which he claimed innocence and accused the police officials of arresting him before he fled from their custody.

However, a police spokesperson denied the claims, saying the video was recorded prior to his arrest and that the accused officer has been taken in custody.

“The law is equal for all,” the spokesperson said, adding that a formal FIR had been registered and legal proceedings were under way.