Nawaz said this while addressing leaders of Shia Conference Ashraf Zaidi and Haji Abdul Qayyum of Hazara Quami Jirga via telephone. People of Shia community and General Secretary of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Women Wing Ruksana Ahmed Ali were also present on the occasion.
“The provincial government has completely failed to address the issues of Balochistan while the federal government appears to be helpless and an onlooker when it comes to Balochistan’s problems,” he told the Shia leaders. “I have highlighted the issues faced by Hazara people at all available forums and will do so in future,” he added.
The former prime minister expressed his resentment towards the unending sectarian killing of Hazara community members during his telephonic conversation. “Government should have taken action against the terrorists spoiling peace in Quetta without even a seconds delay," he said before terming the attacks a conspiracy, "it is a conspiracy to divide the people on ethnic and sectarian lines and the responsibility lies with everyone to play their role in quashing this conspiracy.”
PML-N leader Marvi Memon also held a meeting with Hazara community members and expressed her sorrow over the recent killings.
General Secretary Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen Alama Maqsood Domki and leaders of Shia Conference informed Memon that over 800 people belonging to Hazara community have so far fallen victim to sectarian killings. “Provincial government has completely failed to counter the senseless killings,” they told her.
They demanded imposition of governor’s rule in the province since the incumbent administration has failed to control the situation or overcome the issue of target killings.
Shia leader Ashraf Zaidi laid the blame for recent killings on the government's failure to act against terrorists of banned outfits who had managed to escape from secure prisons and have not been arrested again. “They are not even chased,” he lamented.
“Hazara community members have raised their voice against these killings in Islamabad but received a lukewarm response from the rulers,” he added.
Hazara leaders feared that a civil war might break out in Balochistan if the government continues to act like a silent spectator.
Memon also met with Hazara women and heard their grievances, who urged the former MNA to include the problems of Hazara community as part of their party’s manifesto.
“Everyone knows who the extremists are and who are aiding them. I often visit Quetta and am well aware of the situation,” she told the Hazara women.
She further said that government first failed to protect the Hindu community from criminals and now it has shown its inability to safeguard the rights of Hazara community. “Majority of the Hindu people were forced to migrate, now Hazara community members are leaving the city which is condemnable and intolerable,” she said.
Memon mentioned the involvement of provincial ministers in kidnapping cases. “Under such circumstances, the situation will further deteriorate and PML-N will not sit silently and will take all necessary steps to ensure protection of the people,” she said.
COMMENTS (7)
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It is for sure Crocodiles tears.
It is for sure crocodile tears.
@Falcon: They dont have a government in Sindh and Balochistan then obviously they have to invest where they have a government. But most of the time People hate Nawaz because he belongs from One region of Pakistan and the malicious hating is done on the basis of his ethnicity rather than their performance. He have to be criticized because he belongs from that region who have no right to talk about Pakistan. Ask Mr Zardari and Gailani who was in power in Balochistan and Sindh that why no projects and no investment can be seen there.
While the statements are appreciable, historically there has been little evidence on the part of PMLN to back up this expression of sincerity. They have been in governments for a while now and during their reign as well, the state of Baluchistan didn't change even a bit. Even in the future, when they get funds, they are more likely to invest it in Lahore and Raiwind than poor places in Souther Punjab, Sindh, or Balochistan.
Well done PML N! Voice of conscience!
No role of opposition in this regard nor in any other issue. Sharif is equally involved in the mess that has been created in the previous regime but extended in the presented government. Lip service and telephonic conversations are not enough. I don't see any hard time opposition has given to government on this issue or other issue. There is agreement on turns "Bari" but not on resolving public issues.