Nawaz condemns govts' failure to curb sectarian killings in Quetta

PML-N Chief speaks with Shia clerics over the phone, expresses sorrow over recent targeted killings.


Shezad Baloch April 19, 2012

QUETTA: Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) Chairman Nawaz Sharif has condemned provincial and federal governments’ failure to curb sectarian killings in Quetta.

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)

Iram | 11 years ago | Reply The Express Tribune LeJ’s Malik received monthly stipend from Punjab govt By Asad Kharal Published: July 16, 2011 Nwaz Sharif what you say on above mentioned news?
Imran | 11 years ago | Reply

It is for sure Crocodiles tears.

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