SCBA demands high-level commission over Machh massacre

Calls for an immediate and in-depth probe by all agencies

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abdul Lateef Afridi has demanded the constitution of a high-level commission, which would be entrusted with the task to identify the causes, persons, organisations and countries contributing to “ugly and undesirable” acts like the massacre of Hazara mine workers in Machh, Balochistan within three months to be followed by action within 30 days.

In a statement, the SCBA president noted that the barbaric and inhumane act of terrorism was not a case of simple and mere words of condemnation but called for an immediate and in-depth probe by all agencies to identify the persons and organisations responsible for it.

"Such heinous crime which damages and isolates Pakistan in the comity of nations needs immediate actions. Therefore, those found responsible must be brought to books quickly.

All those who have any sense of patriotism, humanism and allegiance to law and constitution of the motherland have been shocked with such barbaric murders of Hazara mine workers. I demand that sectarianism, extremism and fundamentalism must be nipped in the bud,” the statement read.

“The recent example of extremism is the demolition of Hindu temple in district Karak for which those found responsible must go behind the bars and be punished according to law along with the recovery of cost of damages from the culprits,” it added.

“I also call upon the legal fraternity to protest these incidents in all bar associations across Pakistan and further call upon the government to take immediate action to prevent such ugly incidents in future, particularly for the protection of minorities."

Meanwhile, condemning the Machh carnage, Pakistan Bank Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Abid Saqi said he deplored the “inaction and failure” of the government and security personnel to check and control the law and order situation and ensure safety and security of the people.

While supporting the demands of the victims’ families, he asked the federal and provincial governments to take immediate strictest action against the culprits and provide foolproof security to the members of the Hazara community in Balochistan.