QUETTA: A protest rally in Quetta on Sunday, condemning the recent violence in Parachinar, in which over 60 people have been killed over the past few days.

The rally organised by the Balochistan Shia Conference, led by leaders like Allama Hussain Asim Masvi, Javed Rafiqi and Allama Asim, called for justice for the victims of the sectarian carnage.

The rally began at Imambargah Hussaini Turi and passed through various roads before culminating in a demonstration at Shaheed Chowk. Protesters chanted slogans in solidarity with the victims and criticised the worsening law and order situation in Parachinar.

Speaking at the rally, Mr Rafiqi, a former president of the Balochistan Shia Conference, expressed grave concerns over the alarming law and order situation security in Parachinar. He accused “anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan forces” of instigating conflict between Shia and Sunni communities.

“Innocent lives have been lost to sectarian violence, and the sacrifices made by the Shia community for peace and security were beyond words,” he said.

Former MNA Syed Abbas also addressed the rally, condemning the silence of state institutions and the judiciary. He criticised flawed policies that he claimed had fuelled violence in various areas.

He warned that if the state continued this approach, the massacre would continue. He questioned which Constitution permitted the killing of innocent, defenceless citizens and why killings were being carried out on ethnic and religious grounds.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2024