ISLAMABAD: A large number of people gathered in F-6 Markaz on Tuesday to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in a bomb explosion in Quetta three years ago today.

Over 150 people were killed and around 200 others, including women and children, injured when the blast ripped through the Kirani Road in the Hazara town of Quetta on February 16, 2013.

The participants chanted slogans seeking justice and protection for all vulnerable communities.

Fatima Atif, the organiser of the event, told Dawn: “We linked today’s event to the Army Public School (APS) massacre of December 16, 2014.”

Unfortunately, she added, the government has failed in providing security to the vulnerable communities. “We demand that protection should be provided to people belonging to different sects and minorities,” she added.

Rights activist Farzana Bari said it was strange that even the media had stopped reporting the killing of Hazaras.

“Steps should be taken to ensure protection of the citizens. Moreover, unless the National Action Plan (NAP) is implemented in its letter and spirit, terrorism cannot be eradicated from the country,” she said.

The participants held a candle vigil before dispersing peacefully.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2016