PESHAWAR: The leaders of various political parties have condemned the killing of 11 coal miners in Mach area of Balochistan by unidentified gunmen and asked government to take effective steps to provide security to the people working in coal mines.

Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan and Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao in their separate statements here on Sunday said that the killing of poor coal miners was intolerable. They asked the government to provide compensation to the families of the victims and ensure safety of other workers.

Asfandyar Wali said that terrorists had no religion as they were enemies of humanity and deserved to be eradicated once for all. “Had the government implemented the National Action Plan, such acts of terrorism would have been controlled,” he said. He added that government should take appropriate measures to protect lives of people.

The ANP chief said his party had time and again warned the government about regrouping of terrorists in the country. He urged the rulers to control the fire of terrorism otherwise it would be impossible to restore peace in case of further negligence. He said that the incidents of terrorism were taking place frequently in different areas but the rulers were least bothered to take steps for maintenance of peace. QWP chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that government focused its attention on victimisation of opposition leaders and was least bothered to fulfil its responsibilities. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf failed to keep its promises.

He said that massive gatherings of Pakistan Democratic Movement baffled the rulers and they were sparing no time to create problems for the alliance of opposition parties. He said that it was government’s prime duty to protect lives, honour and properties of the citizens.

The QWP leader said that government failed to serve people as price hike and joblessness were rampant and rulers were unable to devise any effective plan to overcome inflation. He said neither lives of people were secured nor the honour and properties. He asked government to take pragmatic steps to protect people and control inflation and unemployment.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2021