In pictures: Fear and defiance mark life for Hazaras

Despite improved security, Hazaras continue to face attacks by militants

HAZARA: High walls around the neighbourhoods of embattled Hazara community in the southwestern city of Quetta are designed to protect them from extremist militants, but also serve as a constant reminder of the threat they face, reported Reuters.

Naveed Ali Hazara, 23, poses for a photograph at a gym in Hazara TownPHOTO: Reuters

Soldiers and security checkpoints greet visitors to Hazara Town, one of two large guarded neighbourhoods in the capital of Balochistan, a province where religious and sectarian groups often target the Hazaras with bombs and guns.

Mohammad Asif Shahyan from the Hazara community, CEO of a Pioneers school, watches an assembly prayer in Mariabad, Quetta.PHOTO: Reuters

Despite improved security in recent years, partly because most Hazaras have moved into the guarded enclaves, hardline militants keep up attacks, such as a blast in April that killed 24 people, among them were eight Hazaras.

"We are living under siege for more than 1-1.5 decades due to sectarian attacks," said Sardar Sahil, a Hazara lawyer and rights activist.

PHOTO: Reuters

"Though all these check posts were established for our security, we feel we were ourselves also cut off from other communities."

Sahil carries a pistol whenever he leaves home and relies on his faith as a second layer of security. "I kiss my mother's hand and she kisses me too and says goodbye with her prayers and good wishes," Sahil told Reuters.

Sardar Sahil, 30-year-old Hazara lawyer and rights activist, sports his licensed gun as he gets ready to leave for office, at his home in Hazara Town. PHOTO: Reuters

Hazaras, said to be descendants of the Mongols who swept out of central Asia to rule the subcontinent for many centuries, are easily distinguishable in Pakistan by their facial features. That has made them vulnerable to attacks by banned groups including the militant Islamic State, which has attacked them in both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan, also home to many Hazaras.

A Hazara girl attends an assembly prayer in Mariabad, Quetta,PHOTO: Reuters

Many community businesses that flourished in Quetta's bustling wholesale markets have shuttered and relocated to Hazara Town or Mari Abad, another Hazara neighbourhood, but the community is defiant. Some still venture out into Quetta in search of work, while others keep businesses running.

The Quetta community held its first Hazara Culture Day this week to celebrate and showcase its history, music and traditions.

A Hazara girl with traditional jewellery does embroidery at a cultural stall during the Hazara Culture Day. PHOTO: Reuters

The community strives to keep its protests peaceful, despite unrest stirred up by militants looking to pit people of different sects against each other, said Abdul Khaliq Hazara, chairman of the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), which has two provincial assembly representatives.

Abdul Khaliq Hazara, 52, politician and chairman of HDPPHOTO: Reuters

The community is developing and growing, said martial arts specialist Nargis Hazara.

CM Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan (2nd L), along with the chairman of HDP Abdul Khaliq Hazara (3rd L) and others wear traditional Hazargi caps, as they cut the ribbon to begin Hazara Culture DayPHOTO: Reuters

"Every one of us has a dream, a target and aim in our heart, to change the image of Hazaras in the world, and especially in Pakistan," added the 20-year-old who last year became Pakistan's first winner of an Asian Games medal in karate.

Singer Zahra Elham, performs Hazargi songs during the Hazara Culture DayPHOTO: Reuters

“Many Hazaras have joined the armed forces in Pakistan, where the community's past and future will stay rooted despite any violence,” said another martial arts expert, Mubarak Ali Shan.

People from ethnic Hazara community stand as they play a game Sang Girag (stone throwing)PHOTO: Reuters

"We want to serve Pakistan and despite suffering tragedies and incidents, our love for peace has not diminished," he added.