Balochistan outlook

Published January 14, 2013

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The PPP government finally yielded to the protests that had enveloped Pakistan over the weekend and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf announced in front of a gathering of representatives of the Hazara Shia community late on Sunday (Jan 13) night that the provincial government was being dismissed forthwith and governor’s rule was being imposed in the southwestern province.

After braving three nights in Quetta’s freezing temperatures next to their slain loved ones, the families of dozens of bombing victims ended their protest and buried the bodies amid strict security measures in a Hazara graveyard on Monday.

Relatives, friends and members of the Hazara community had camped out at major intersections of the provincial capital for the last four days to protest the deaths of more than 100 people in the twin suicide attacks.

Do you think the federal government simply succumbed to pressure and gave in to the demands to secure momentary respite for itself? How far would the provincial governor really go with his powers to improve the overall law and order situation in the province along with ensuring security for people from communities at risk of being attacked? Furthermore, was it a good move to grant policing powers to the Frontier Corps when it has been accused of high-handedness on several occasions?

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