Imran Khan criticises own party for handling of teenager`s death

Imran Khan criticised his own party`s government in Pakistan`s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for poorly responding to the death of a teenage schoolboy.

Islamabad: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan today criticised his own party`s government in Pakistan`s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province for poorly responding to the death of a teenage schoolboy, who was killed while preventing a suicide attack. Fourteen-year-old Aitzaz Hasan tackled a suicide bomber who had come to attack his school in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on January 6 at a time when hundreds of students were inside. Speaking to the media, Khan said he was proud of the teenager`s martyrdom and that he was a national hero. He said it was sad that the provincial government had failed to reach the boy`s family.

"I am disappointed that none of the ministers or even the Chief Minister visited the boy`s family," he said in comments aired by news channels. Khan announced that his Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party will cooperate with Hasan`s family and take care of their expenses. He also announced the establishment of the Aitzaz Hasan Fund. Meanwhile, the International Human Rights Commission today bestowed a global bravery award on Hasan. A delegation visited Hasan`s grave and his family and condoled his death. Hasan has already been recommended by the government for Sitara-e-Shujaat, one of the country`s highest awards for bravery.