QUETTA: Emir of Jamaat-i-Islami Sirajul Haq on Sunday expressed serious concern over law and order situation in Balochistan and demanded that the government ensure a transparent investigation into the suicide attack on his convoy and expose the elements behind it.

Accompanied by Balochistan JI emir Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi and another leader Zahid Akhtar Baloch, the JI emir told a presser that dialogue should be initiated to protect the country from the Sudan-like situation.

Criticising the federal and Balochistan governments’ performance, he said: “The federal and provincial governments have closed their eyes to the worsening law and order situation in the province and it has created a sense of insecurity among the masses.”

Mr Haq said that instead of fulfilling their responsibilities, different institutions of both federal and provincial governments were blaming each other for their failure to maintain law and order and providing protection to the masses, adding that this situation had created despondency in the people.

“For restoring peace and stability in Balochistan, the government and the establishment should start consultation with intellectuals, tribal leaders, civil society activists and all other stakeholders and prepare an action plan,” the JI chief said. He added leaders of political parties must start negotiations to save the country from further instability.

A shutter-down strike was also observed in Zhob and other areas in Balochistan on Sunday to condemn the attack on the JI emir’s convoy, while the families of missing persons blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway for the recovery of their loved ones.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2023