Afridi vows to arrest Quetta suicide blast culprits

State minister tells grieving families unity only way to defeat terrorism

QUETTA: Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi has expressed his condolence to the grieving families of the 20 people martyred in the Hazar Ganji suicide attack, saying measures are under way to arrest those involved in the tragic incident.

“The state will take every possible step for the elimination of terrorism and is also taking steps to protect all our borders,” said the state minister while addressing the media at an Imambargah at Hazar Ganji in Quetta on Monday.

Afridi along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bukhari visited Quetta as the Hazara community’s sit-in entered its fourth day.

The bereaved families along with scores of Hazara community members have been protesting for the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), arrest of the culprits and provision of security for their families.

The minister requested the Hazara community not to doubt the government’s intentions, saying the state “respects each and every native” of Balochistan.



"Attempts are being made to spread anarchy in the country and there is no doubt that the Hazara community has been subjected to severe cruelty," said Afridi, adding that Pakistan's enemies want the country to be placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) black list.
He assured the members of the victim families of taking action against those responsible for the attack.

"The state will take every possible step for the elimination of terrorism," Afridi added.
Once again during his speech, the minister assured the families that the government “will go to any extent to take elements involved in terrorism to their logical conclusion”.

"We have to think regarding which powers in the country are making us fight among ourselves," he said. "Pakistan's enemies want the country to be placed on the FATF black list."
Afridi called for unity among the people of Balochistan, saying the enemy’s agenda of creating instability in the country could only be thwarted through love and harmony.

He said all stakeholders including the armed forces and the provincial and federal governments stand united in their commitment to eradicate the menace of terrorism and uplift Balochistan.



Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced he will visit the bereaved families of the Hazar Ganji market attack victims on April 18. The premier will also attend a high-level meeting on peace and security during his visit to the provincial capital.

The Hazara community’s sit-in protest started after Friday’s suicide attack which killed 20 people, including 10 members belonging to the Hazara community and around 50 injured. Da’ish on Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack on the vegetable market.

Earlier before addressing the media, Afridi and Bukhari met Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan at the CM Secretariat.

They expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of 20 people in the Hazar Ganji blast. They discussed the province’s law and order situation with the CM.

Provincial Home Minister Zia Langove, Chief Secretary Dr Akhtar Nazeer, IG FC Major General Fayaz Ahmed Shah and IG Police Mohsin Hassan Butt were present.

Kamal shared the Hazar Ganji blast’s investigation details with the state minister for interior.