Imran’s aides visit Quetta as Hazaras protest

Members of the Hazara community continued their sit-in yesterday for the fourth consecutive day against the Hazar Ganji suicide bombing, which claimed 20 lives in Quetta on Friday.

Despite rainfall, members of the Hazara community continued their sit-in on Quetta’s Western Bypass, which links the city with highways.

Women and children are also part of the sit-in demanding action against the perpetrators of Hazara killings.

The protesters have set up camps and burnt wood to keep warm at night.

The protesters have been chanting slogans, asking for an end to terrorism and to Hazara killings.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan should come and console us,” Mohamed Raza, a protester, said. “This time the government should go beyond words and do something practical for our protection.”

The premier has yet to visit the bereaved.

State Minister for Interior, Sheharyar Afridi, arrived in Quetta yesterday to review the security situation.

He was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfiqar Bukhari.

Afridi visited the Imam Bargah located in Hazara town to condole with the bereaved family members.

Speaking to the media, he said that the federal government stands with the Hazara community and that concrete steps will be taken to end the crimes against its members.

“The question is, who is it that wants to create these differences between Pakistanis? Who wants to create a situation of conflict within Pakistan?

“I am saying these things and asking these questions because Pakistan’s enemies want that this country be added to the [Financial Action Task Force] blacklist.

“They want that, at every level, including the economic level, such blows be dealt that Pakistan – God forbid – breaks apart.”

Afridi and Bukhari also called on Baluchistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan and other political leaders to discuss the means to improve security and end the ongoing protest by the Hazara community.

The protesters have refused to call off the sit-in despite repeated requests by the district administration and appeals of provincial ministers.

“We strongly condemn the terrorist incident but (the) blockade of road needs to end in view of troubles for people,” Rahim Agha, the president Anjuman-e-Tajaran, said.

A report released by the National Commission for Human Rights last year stated that 509 members of the Hazara community were killed and 627 injured in various incidents of terrorism in Quetta from January 2012 to December 2017.