Visit of pilgrims to Iran be regulated: Rehman Malik
IG Balochistan assures that protection is already being provided to Shia pilgrims travelling from Quetta to Iran.
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday directed the concerned authorities to regulate the visit of Shia pilgrims to Iran and ensure their protection.
Malik was chairing a high-level meeting which was attended by Federal Secretary Interior, Provincial Home Secretaries and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs). The meeting reviewed the law and order situation in Balochistan, highlighting the incident of firing at a bus in Quetta on October 4.
Chief Secretary and IG Balochistan informed that protection to the pilgrims travelling from Quetta to Iran is already being provided.
They said for the protection of two localities, Mariyabad and Hazara Town, special security measures have been taken and all passenger transport including vans and wagons will be on the roads with armed security guards during movement from one point to other.
All buses will have two armed security guards, while patrolling has been enhanced, they said and added that the section 144 will be imposed with more vigour.
On Tuesday, unidentified men opened fire on a bus and killed 14 Shia Hazaras in the Akhtarabad area of Quetta.
The Shia Ulema Council, Izadari Council, and Majlis Wahdat al Muslimeen announced a three day mourning over the incident.
Security has been beefed up at all entry and exit points of the city.
Four days ago, rallies in Australia, the US, the UK, Austria, Norway, Denmark and Canada marked an international day of protest against the unending wave of attacks on Hazaras in Pakistan. The call has evidently not been heard. Indeed, approximately 250 Hazara citizens of Pakistan have been killed in the past three years.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday directed the concerned authorities to regulate the visit of Shia pilgrims to Iran and ensure their protection.
Malik was chairing a high-level meeting which was attended by Federal Secretary Interior, Provincial Home Secretaries and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs). The meeting reviewed the law and order situation in Balochistan, highlighting the incident of firing at a bus in Quetta on October 4.
Chief Secretary and IG Balochistan informed that protection to the pilgrims travelling from Quetta to Iran is already being provided.
They said for the protection of two localities, Mariyabad and Hazara Town, special security measures have been taken and all passenger transport including vans and wagons will be on the roads with armed security guards during movement from one point to other.
All buses will have two armed security guards, while patrolling has been enhanced, they said and added that the section 144 will be imposed with more vigour.
On Tuesday, unidentified men opened fire on a bus and killed 14 Shia Hazaras in the Akhtarabad area of Quetta.
The Shia Ulema Council, Izadari Council, and Majlis Wahdat al Muslimeen announced a three day mourning over the incident.
Security has been beefed up at all entry and exit points of the city.
Four days ago, rallies in Australia, the US, the UK, Austria, Norway, Denmark and Canada marked an international day of protest against the unending wave of attacks on Hazaras in Pakistan. The call has evidently not been heard. Indeed, approximately 250 Hazara citizens of Pakistan have been killed in the past three years.