Panjgur killing

Yet another incident of profile killing has been reported from Balochistan, and once again the target seems to be those dwelling from Punjab. The victims worked as labourers in the restive district of Panjgur and were resting after a day of hard work in an under-construction building. It is no coincidence that this time too all the seven exterminated were from the biggest province, and this confirms a vicious pattern of sowing in hatred and the sense of otherness among people who frequent between provinces and seem to be quite unwelcome at least in the desolate province of Balochistan. The act of cold-blooded killings of the poor souls through automatic weapons has come close on the heels of a deputy commissioner from the same district being shot dead near Mastung on the National Highway.

Balochistan is in the grip of extreme lawlessness, and the problem is not being dealt with in its correct perspective. A host of operatives – such as external characters, home-grown extremist elements and those out to exploit the deteriorating situation for their vested interests – are out in the field. At the same time, there are aggrieved elements campaigning for their rightful share in the province. Such elements, because of the lack of redress of their grievances, have distanced themselves from state-centric affairs and are in a protest mode. Last but not least are abettors of terror who are operating in the disguise of ethnic and political elements. It also goes without saying that excessive use of force in the province amid the absence of political apathy has tipped the situation to the brink.

Panjgur's carnage should be read from the prism of earlier killings in Noshki, Turbat, Gwadar and other far-off areas where people from a specific province were profiled on their way and shot dead. This hints at some plot in the making, and it needs to be admitted that authorities have done a shoddy job to address this menace. Statements of condemnation are a laughing stock when those at the helm remain oblivious to the ground realities.