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VIEW: Saluting a martyr

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Apr 24, 2007
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VIEW: Saluting a martyr —Mina Sohail


I cannot think of any job that is as high risk and unrewarding as that of security guards. These guards have low pay scales, long duty hours (as opposed to the eight hours we give in the comfort of our offices), no on-the-job training, no authority to shoot when presented with a credible threat and no benefits for families in case of death on duty.

Mohammad Bashir was the security guard who was martyred while on duty outside the Silk Bank branch in Islamabad on Monday June 13. According to eyewitnesses, Bashir stopped the bomber at the entrance and, after a brief tussle, the bomber blew himself up. Bashir was mortally wounded and succumbed to his injuries when he was shifted to a hospital.

It was a working day in the bank and Bashir’s sacrifice saved all those who were present in the building at that time. He belonged to a village in Azad Kashmir and is survived by four daughters and two sons. In a report on a news channel, the son said that he wanted to be a martyr just like his father. I saw no women wailing or drowned in tears, but a family who took pride in Bashir’s martyrdom and spoke of his valour and commitment to his duty.

I recently spoke to a security guard named Ramzan who works for a television channel. He has five children and gets paid Rs 6,000 a month. He was aware of the immense risk to his life and no, it was not the love of martyrdom that lured him to this career but lack of prospects resulting from a lack of education. Let us face it, guarding people’s houses or other sensitive buildings does not quite have the appeal that the armed forces do. It really is not a passion in hibernation that is rekindled by the prospect of earning a few thousand rupees or risking your neck at the hands of unpredictable suicide bombers. Ramzan told me that the security company that has employed him has provided him with ammunition but has not permitted him to shoot. So, if he ever feels that a dubious looking person approaching the building could be a grave threat, he cannot shoot as the company will not take responsibility for it. In that case, he added, “I know I will be the first to die.” This is quite mind-boggling though because it defeats the purpose of guarding. When I questioned him regarding any perks or financial compensation his company would provide in case of his demise, he said, “God knows what will happen to my children once I die as I am not aware of any reparation.”

Ghulam Mustafa works outside a house and makes Rs 7,000 a month. He has three children. He told me he was permitted to “shoot in the air” to scare people off but not otherwise. When I asked him if he has any life insurance, he laughed and asked me what that meant. And, well, I really did not want to engage anymore in the morbid conversation of what would happen to his loved ones when he dies.

The psychological pressure that the security guards face is merely one terrifying aspect of their jobs. They get up every morning unaware whether they will live to see another day. Bashir’s act of valour made the headlines for one day, a package or two on the widow and children he left behind ran for another. Heartrending music in the background, a weeping widow captured in slow motion and a two-year-old toddler watching in bewilderment the commotion that surrounded her. We have witnessed it all too many times.

I cannot think of any job that is as high risk and unrewarding as that of security guards. The demand for guards for houses, companies, offices and other businesses is on the rise. Yet these guards have low pay scales, long duty hours (as opposed to the eight hours we give in the comfort of our offices), no on-the-job training, no authority to shoot when presented with a credible threat and no benefits for families in case of death on duty.

If we actually valued our own lives, we would value their lives a lot more. If Bashir had not deterred the bomber, so many families would have been grieving over the loss of their loved ones.

Lauding Bashir’s heroic efforts is one thing, but this incident makes me wonder if we as a country have been fair with Bashir and other unsung heroes like him. He was martyred while honouring his contractual obligation to protect the people and gave us what we expected of him. However, did we give him what he deserved? We should stop using politicians as a punching bag and we need to stop watching from the sidelines. Television anchorpersons should perhaps engage in labour law discussions instead of the usual political hogwash that monopolises debates on prime time news shows. Security companies should offer benefits to the families of security guards if the sole bread earner perishes in the line of duty. A package on television showed a black and white picture of Bashir standing and saluting in uniform. Well, perhaps we should salute the martyr too but with action this time, and not mere words.

The writer is a freelance journalist who has worked for Express News and Dunya TV as a news anchor and
 
It's a befitting tribute to a resolute and determined nation of Pakistan, where even a minute of security detail wouldn't hesitate to man handle a would be suicide bomber in the full knowledge of the grave risks to his own life.
 
It's a befitting tribute to a resolute and determined nation of Pakistan, where even a minute of security detail wouldn't hesitate to man handle a would be suicide bomber in the full knowledge of the grave risks to his own life.

i remember a case where a company's warehouse was raided by dacoits, one of the security guard resisted and was shot dead by the theives. the security company paid no compensation. it was left upto the owners of the warehouse to provide some solace to the guard's family which they did in the shape of Rs, 5lac to the widow and her son.
 
It is a sad fact of life that many soldiers, security guards, sentries and watchman lose their life in the line of duty but remain unsung heroes. It is about time that Joe public realizes their sacrifices and they are paid their just due.
 
Security guards are the most unsung and unappreciated lot in our society.

The are exploited in to the extreme and underpaid by the agencies they work for.

I hope the bank this brave man saved will do something worthwhile for this valiant soul.
 
Security guards are the most unsung and unappreciated lot in our society.

The are exploited in to the extreme and underpaid by the agencies they work for.

I hope the bank this brave man saved will do something worthwhile for this valiant soul.

dont bet on it!!!
 
Heart touching.

Seriously this must be taken in account. Small changes turn out to make a huge difference one day.
Nothing is as valued as life is. Preferred example, Pilots are told to eject on the first moment of a scare to save their life, forget about $40Mn F-16.
That case is, no different. Why name them security guards when they must be named as people who are there awaiting for death to walk towards them - And they have go the button of their life in the hands, still wont press it cause sooner or latter they will be die.

Basically as it seems, they are paid a average between 6000-8000 Ruppee/Month, which is too less for the risk of life they put in.
If not raising salaries by 1500-2000 Ruppee/Month, at least give them permission to save their lives and hearts of family.

Appreciate the article. Thanks for posting. My best wishes with them. May Allah bless him and others with high rank in Jannah. Ameen.
 
"Courage is the price that life extracts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things."amelia earheart.
 
It is because of this the Army wanted to have the NCB System, atleast if employed as an NCB a retd soldier is way better than how these security guards are treated. This is when we compare their pays, duty hours, fatigue, respect and ease.
 

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