Bugti announces commission to probe Ziarat incident
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the provincial government had constituted a judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat incident, a day after an agreement between the government and protesters ended a days-long sit-in staged in response to the terrorist attack in Ziarat's Mangi area.
Thousands of poeple gathered at Ayub Stadium in Quetta on Saturday to attend the collective funeral prayers of the police personnel martyred in the recent Ziarat terrorist attack, as political leaders, government officials and members of the public paid tribute to their sacrifice in the line of duty.
At least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred while fighting terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan during the attack in the Ziarat area of Balochistan.
Bugti confirmed the development during a meeting with Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Zardari House in Islamabad, where he briefed the party chief on the province's administrative and political situation, as well as the recent security situation.
During the briefing, the chief minister said he had played a full role in consoling the bereaved families affected by the Ziarat incident and in fulfilling their demands.
He said a judicial commission had been established on the demand of the bereaved families to investigate the incident.
Bugti also announced that an all parties conference would soon be convened on the restoration of peace in Balochistan, adding that political parties outside parliament would also be invited to participate.
During the meeting, Bilawal paid tribute to the personnel of the army, Frontier Corps and police who were martyred in the recent wave of terrorism.
"I can feel the pain of the bereaved families of those martyred in the recent terrorist incidents," the PPP chairman said.
He also praised Bugti for the successful negotiations with the protesters and his efforts to address the concerns of the bereaved families.
"You have played a positive role in healing the pain of the bereaved families of the Ziarat incident and making the negotiation process successful," Bilawal said.
Thanking the opposition parties for their role in making the negotiations successful, the PPP chairman said political dialogue remained the only solution to Balochistan's political issues.
"The Pakistan People's Party believes in political dialogue with political parties, whether they are in power or in the opposition," he said.
Reiterating the country's long-standing stance on terrorism, he said the nation stood like "a wall of steel" against terrorism.
The funeral prayers, held at the football ground of Ayub Stadium, were attended by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, MNA Khushal Khan Kakar, Senator Manzoor Khan Kakar, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, Provincial Ministers Mir Asim Kurd Gello and Bakht Muhammad Kakar, National Party Secretary General Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, BNP leader Sajid Tareen, ANP Balochistan President Asghar Khan Achakzai, PTI Balochistan President Daud Shah Kakar, Hazara Democratic Party leader Qadir Ali Nael, BNP leader Mir Akhtar Hussain Langove, Quetta Commissioner Shahezeb Kakar, Malik Majid Kakar, and leaders and workers of various political parties.
A large number of citizens also participated in the funeral prayers, expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and offering prayers for the martyrs. Participants hailed the fallen police personnel for their courage and sacrifice while performing their duties to protect the public.
Following the funeral, the bodies of the martyrs were dispatched to their native towns, where they were laid to rest with full official honours.
Earlier, the bodies had been moved from the protest site at Coal Phatak in Quetta to Ayub Stadium after a sit-in by the families of the slain policemen ended following successful negotiations with the Balochistan government and representatives of political parties.
The agreement brought an end to the days-long protest that had been staged in response to the terrorist attack in Ziarat's Mangi area.
The Ziarat attack, in which several police personnel embraced martyrdom, sparked widespread condemnation across Pakistan. Political leaders renewed calls for bringing those responsible to justice and intensifying efforts to eradicate terrorism in Balochistan, while reaffirming support for the families of the martyrs.