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Hazara protesters want PM Khan to visit victims' families
QUETTA: Amid heavy showers and cold weather, members of the Hazara community continued their sit-in for a third consecutive day, demanding that Prime Minister Imran Khan come to Quetta and assure them of protection and impartial implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP).
The western bypass, which links the city with highways, remained blocked for traffic as security forces surrounded the area where the Hazara families had set up their protest camp against the Friday blast at the Hazarganji vegetable and fruit market.
The suicide attack resulted in the killing of 19 people, including eight members of the Hazara community. Eleven others belonged to different tribes. Among them, there was one security official who was on duty at the blast site.
Representing the protesters, Advocate Tahir Hazara expressed dismay over the federal government’s attitude and regretted that Prime Minister Imran Khan had no time to visit Quetta after the tragic incident of Hazarganji.
He said the government had failed to protect their lives, as terrorists were continuously targeting the Hazara community in Quetta. “We have lost hundreds of our loved ones during the last 10 years,” he added.
Advocate Tahir said the National Action Plan had been prepared by the parliament with consensus yet many points of NAP were not being implemented. It was for this reason that the people of Hazara community were being targeted by terrorists, he added.
“PM Khan should ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan,” he reiterated.
The protesters also chanted slogans against the authorities for failing to protect the people against terrorist attacks.
While the provincial authorities contacted the protesters and assured NAP’s implementation, the latter refused to end their sit-in until all their demands are met.
Meanwhile, more workers of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) joined in the protest and announced their support for the Hazara community.
Addressing a press conference, MWM Secretary General Allama Raja Nasir Abbas demanded that the federal government ensure implementation of NAP. He said frequent attacks against the Hazara community were giving a message to the world that Pakistan was not safe.
However, he said, no one was safe in Quetta. Along with ordinary masses, security personnel too had been martyred he said, adding that it raised questions over capabilities of the government. He said the state must act without further delay, because the people were tired of lifting the coffins of their loved ones.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2019
Comments (39) Closed
Why is Imran not visiting them?? Could there possibly be anything more important at this time. He seems to be a bigger disappointment with each passing day.
Prime Minister must visit the families of victims
PM should handle this in similar manner as jacinda ardin handled nz terror incident.
Didn't he just give Rupees 30 million to one family which suffered for no reason. These should be same.
Their grievances and demands are valid. IK should address their issues and I am sure IK will.
Imran Kan has praised NewZealand Pm, but still not following her way for his own countrymen
If the Prime Minister does not visit the families, then shame on him.
Imran Khan should follow the example set by New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
Please don't hold your breath as the PM is busy appeasing the Sikhs only and nothing else.
@Dr Mazhar, that may not be possible due to other priorities.
Its really sad to see that people have to be sit-ins continuously to even request the Prime Minister to visit the terror affected and grief stricken community.
Prime minister must not visit at all. The intention behind the call is the Power show.
How many prime ministers have visited in the past? Did any prime minister visit any of the terrorism victim in any Masjid or Bazar of Peshawar yet? No! They already have security of police and FC to and from the main markets of quetta.
All the politicians in the world when something like this happens go and talk to victims , regardless of how corrupt or hearless they are..!! I haven’t heard anywhere that victims are calling pm to meet them .. but pm is busy going after sharifs and bhuttos.. shame!
The poor victims deserve a hug from PMIK.
Mr. IK needs some actionable evidence. First bring that and then ask for anything from him.
Even his visit wont change anything. This is not New Zealand. Imran is a total failure.
IK, Please visit Hazaras and condole loss of precious lives. They were one of us.
IK should visit
Imran should have gone there already.not waiting to be asked to be there.
PM Khan is sleeping and have no interest whatsoever. His one motive since he came in power how to increase the TAX...........Thats he is been doing since he came to power by hidden forces.
He should visit them and give each family atleast 100 million rupee compensation.
How come he has not visited ? Is he scared of Mullas?
It you see PMIK is very busy nabbing people with NAB. If he leaves they’ll all run away then how will he “nab” them?
Kaptaan was very impressed with NZ PM. He should follow in her footsteps. Or he only preaches but doesnt follow.
Will imran khan go and hug hazaras like New Zealand PM??
Pakistan PM should visit Hazara community and promise them of full security together with some compensation money for the victims.
Imran is the leader of masses and he should now visit how PM of New Zealand shared the grief of her countrymen.It is never late and Hazaras think that his visit will balm their injuries
Very valid demand by the victim's families but there should be fool proof security for PM Khan. Thanks
how ironic. when it happened in NZ, every Minister was on his high horse, when it happens in Pakistan not a Minister to be seen!
Reasonable demand. Speaking about minorities sitting in Islamabad is different from going and sharing their pain.
Country makes and gathers for tragedy in New Zealand, why not same for this incident ?. Why Imran Khan is not doing same as what New Zealand prime minister did ?. He appreciated her act !.
Barring security issues, PM IK should bisit them to condole. It would be a good gesture.
IK has to learn a lesson from New Zealand PM on how to treat minorities.
Shame on PM for not visiting the victims and their families. This should have been done the same day this tragedy happened.
I am one of the biggest Imran Khan fan and have stood by him for every decision But ! not reaching Quetta after this tragedy and mourn with the families is beyond my expectation. please don't inaugurate anything in Quetta when you are visiting, this should only be for meeting these families and listening to them.
@Najma Hisham,
spot on...
@Gordon E. Walker, it not one incident this community were being targeted for a long time. They are not asking for food water or shelter but for their life..its an existential threat that they are facing. May be thePM is too ashamed to meet them.
IK is loosing his credibility. He should learn a lesson from NZ PM.
@Ali, But IMK is not NZ Prime Minister. He only loves to represents on Taliban and Afghan refugees. It was very disappointed that IMK did not bother to visit these heart broken people poor people. With this very attitude of him he will not succeed as a PM. He will go down from this point on.