QUETTA: The Hazara Dem­o­cratic Party (HDP) has paid tribute to the martyrs of Mach massacre and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Speaking at a condolence meeting here on Sunday, HDP chairman Abdul Khaliq Hazara condemned the senseless and brutal killing of innocent coal mine workers belonging to the Shia Hazara community earlier this month.

He said the genocide of Hazaras dated back to 1890 during the reign of Afghan Amir Abdul Rehman when he terrorised the Hazara nation at the behest of British imperialism. “More than 60 per cent of the population was massacred and our lands were occupied by them,” he said.

The HDP leaders said Hazaras had been massacred to deprive them of their freedom and identity. “In order to beware of the region’s proxies, it is important for the youths to observe the political, economic and geographical conditions of the region,” they said.

Abdul Khaliq Hazara, who is also adviser to the Balo­chistan chief minister, said: “The enemy can never deprive us of our basic constitutional rights by harassing us. We have proved through our organised, peaceful and democratic protests over the past two decades that our workers and supporters are determined to attain their rights.”

He said the Hazara nation should continue their daily routines, including labour, schools and jobs, just like any other citizen of the country.

“We have a responsibility to protect our national interests. Under the guise of martyrs’ corpses, some religious groups pursued their political ambitions and interests,” he said.

Secretary General Ahmad Ali and other HDP leaders also spoke on the occasion. MPA Qadir Ali Nayal acted as stage secretary.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2021