Zubair Qureshi
President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday directed the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLICP) to pay insurance claims to the widows of two different insurance policy holders.
Upholding the orders of the Wafaqi Mohtasib to pay the insurance claims to the widows of policyholders in two separate cases the president rejected the representations of the SLICP in the matter.
According to details, Nagina Fatima’s late husband had purchased a non-medical life insurance policy for Rs 1 million and paid annual premium amounting to Rs 54,890 on 31.12.2018.
After his death in February 2019, the widow, being the nominee of the deceased policyholder, approached the SLICP for the payment of the insurance claim.
The SLICP repudiated her insurance claim without issuing her any notice. Thereafter, the widow approached the office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib for the redressal of her grievance.
Similarly, the husband of Rehana Kosar had purchased a policy for Rs 410,000 and after paying annual premium in July 2019 he died.
Kosar’s claim was also rejected without issuing any notice to her after which she approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib to seek justice.
Subsequently, Wafaqi Mohtasib, in both the cases, passed the orders directing the SLICP to redress the grievances of the complainants by paying them insurance claims, taking disciplinary actions against the delinquent officials under the relevant laws.
The Mohtasib also sought a compliance report or the reasons for not doing so within 30 days in terms of the Article 11(2) of P.O. 1 of 1983. The SLICP, thereafter, filed appeals to the President assailing the orders of the Wafaqi Mohtasib.
The president in his decision wrote that the agency did not fulfil the requirements of natural justice which was one of the most sacred principles and its violation is always considered enough to vitiate even the most solemn proceeding.
