Hazaras’ killings: Ban on violent religious outfits demanded

MWM activists threatened to protest across the country if arrests are not made.

ISLAMABAD:

Dozens of activists and supporters of Majlis-e-Wahadatul Muslimeen (MWM) gathered on Friday outside the National Press Club to protest against the recent killings of members of Hazara ethnic minority in Quetta.

They demanded that the government enforce bans on religious organisations that were involved in violent activities including attacks on the Shia religious minority.

“We know these people are involved in killing our innocent brothers and sisters and the government is not taking any action against them,” said Muhammad Raza, an MWM leader from Islamabad.

He said the fracas over Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi, the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama’at (ASWJ) chief who was arrested and released by Islamabad police a few days back, showed that the government was helpless against these organisations.

The protesters were holding banners and placards while chanting slogans against the federal government.

They demanded the assailants of innocent Hazaras be arrested and punished as soon as possible, failing which, MWM activists threatened to protest across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2012.