Target killing: PMA Balochistan leader succumbs to wounds
President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan chapter Dr Mazar Baloch succumbed to his injures on Saturday, a day after being shot by unidentified assailants in Quetta.
Dr Mazar, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at the Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) Teaching Hospital, was shifted to Karachi from Quetta as a result of his critical state. However, he succumbed to his injuries at the Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi. The doctor received eight bullet wounds when armed men ambushed his vehicle on Masjid Road in Quetta.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Secretary General of PMA Dr Faiz Hashmi said that Mazar is the fifth doctor to have fallen victim to target killings and kidnappings in Balochistan.
“Earlier, Dr Saleh Baloch, Dr Abid Zhidi and Prof Mumtaz Haideri were killed in targeted attacks. Dr Din Mohammad Mari and Dr Akbar Marri have been missing for years. There has been no investigation in any case,” he said, while urging the judiciary and the government to launch an investigation into Mazar’s killing.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani condemned the killing and expressed grief with the victim’s family. Baloch and Pashtun nationalist parties including Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party (NP), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP), BNP-Awami and Baloch Students Organization (BSO-Azad) also denounced the killing.
BSO-Azad’s spokesperson blamed government functionaries for Dr Mazar’s killing and said that the government is targeting the educated section of Baloch society.
Meanwhile, doctors in Quetta observed strike at all state-run hospitals on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2011.
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We must understand that our enemy is so strong that he is finishing our top educated and honest people. We must look around our resident area to keep watch on the suspicious people and groups to inform our law enforcement agencies. This is our responsibility to finish this target killing and terrorism from our country. Our enemy inside and from outside are going to finish our country. Why we are only looking to Police and Government? When we all knows that we selected not capable and honest politician then how they can provide us full safety? Our politician are also afraid to going outside in public area. So let's united as Pakistani and forget our differences,languages, religions, race and status and just think for Pakistan. We can do it if we are honest and sincere with this country. Let's spread the message of peace and love. For next Elections we must select honest and sincere people to serve the country not to eat the country. May God give Paradise to Dr. Mazar. Please don't think that we are weak we are very strong nation but we need good leadership. Let's combine and give defeat to our enemy.Thanks.
My heart goes out to family and friends of Dr. Mazar. No wonder teachers, doctors and other professionals are leaving Quetta (actually leaving Pakistan). Sad day indeed. May Dr. Mazar's soul rest in peace.
Extremely sad to hear this - even doctor's are not being spared in this vicious campaign of cold blooded cowardly terror - may Dr. Baloch rest in peace.
I as a Hazara feel the pain of my Baloch brothers - may you soon succeed and peace prevail in Balochistan.
Sad day for Pakistan. This man was working for community and must be great surgeon. We needs the people like him. God save his soul - Ameen!