ISLAMABAD: The Red Cross on Thursday suspended most of its aid projects in Pakistan and recalled all of its foreign staff to the capital, following the brutal murder of a British worker.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had put on hold activities run from Karachi and Peshawar, while it reviewed its operations after the killing of Khalil Dale.
The move suspends activities at all facilities run by ICRC apart from a physical rehabilitation centre in Kashmir.
"The recent attack against the ICRC compels us to completely reassess the balance between the humanitarian impact of our activities and the risks faced by our staff," said Jacques de Maio, ICRC's head of operations for South Asia.
The 60-year-old Dale's mutilated body was found outside Quetta on April 29, four months after he was abducted.
ICRC activities in Quetta were frozen in the aftermath of Dale's death, the aid group said.
"We are currently analysing the situation and the environment with a view to setting out a clear and sustainable way forward," said Paul Castella, head of the ICRC delegation in Pakistan.
"In the coming weeks, the ICRC will announce a decision on its future presence and set-up in Pakistan."
Some of the expatriate staff recalled to Islamabad will work on the review process, while the majority of local staff in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar will go on paid leave, ICRC said.
COMMENTS (41)
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Killing a 60 year old man who was just helping ordinary people is the most cowardly thing to do. They could have at least thought about his old age. Disgusting and extremely sad.
@ To all who responded to my post, do you know what sarcasm is?
Pakistan is in the grip of terrorist thinking. The silence of religious parties on this brutal act is meaningful. There is no external threat but internal.
@LionOfPunjab:
My friend the Red Cross movement is NOT a religious organisation, it comprises of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies represented by nearly every country of the world and these people give their time and sometimes their lives as we have seen, for their fellow human being regardless of race, religion, gender or political beliefs.
Let the charity organization, the Red Cross leave pakistan, the other 'charity' organization lead by philanthropist, Hafeez Saeed of JuD will fill the void and help people of pakistan. After all, JUD is a charity organization, isnt it?
As always the poor people suffer because of our inept and incompetent govt.
I see foreign hands in this. If you don't believe me, ask you can ask Pakistan's minister Mr.Malik
@Tauqeer: Wake up! The 'third parties" are pakistani extremist groups that have been funded and supported for decades by the establishment!
Unless we stop being delusional and acknowledge that the fault is within our own country we will keep on sliding further into chaos!
Fallout of drone strikes and war on terror.
Ex-Diplomat
Pakistan's neighboring enemies will go to any extent to harm Pakistan. Killing Red Cross workers to malign Pakistan must be the easiest thing.
One more step towards anarchy for the state. It's shame that a country so rich in resources, geography and climate is being ruined in the name of religion. But this will be a great lesson for all other nations on the planet to completely separate the state from religion. Pakistan can not isolate these two and this alone will be the reason for the anarchy .
The symbol Cross is a bone of contention for our strategic assets. In fact we don't deserve any charity program from any international organization. If there is no protection then no aid.
Where are our leaders and religious leaders. No one came out with any condemnation message. pl. note we are heading to a total collapse.
The government neither can stop the killings of the locals, nor the foreigners.
What is the meaning of the word 'Government'?
All laws are only restricted in the books and are never written to get these implemented.
@Tauqeer: Sir please wake up and enough of these conspiracy theories there enough enemies within Pakistan it really doesn't need any outsiders. I really like your country and its people saying that though its really time to wake up else abyss is the only other direction. I presume 64 years is proof enough.
@Tauqeer: Good attempt at stealing the victim title at the expense of the victim.
@Taqueer
Why does a country with the money to maintain such a massive nuclear arsenal charity in the first place?
@Tauqeer: "Pakistan being the 1st Islamic Nucler Power State is being tryed to destablized by the 3rd party"
For heavens sake, why do you bring Islam and nuclear state into this very sad situation?
unfortunate incident my prayers go out to his family members nd may his soul rest in peace
Another black eye for Pakistan --- IRC only pulls out under extreme circumstances often associated with out of control failed nations.
This is indeed a very sad news. The people who are suffering already are bound to suffer even more just because of a bunch of lunatics who respect no religion or humanity.
A national disgrace because our so called nation has descended into the abyss of darkness and evil.....truly tragic for each Pakistani. And than you to the ICRC for bearing such torturous working conditions for so long and we cannot thank them enough for what they have done for us.
So far, not one darned mullah or Islami party has condemned the brutal murder of Khalil Dale, May Allah grant him a heavenly abode. amen
An international help rendering agency leaving the country is the last thing Pakistan needed which would further tarnish its image. The Red Cross workers should have been provided with foolproof security which would have saved the country some blushes.
There was no choice to but to suspend operations. After repeated request to the Govt. for doing more in terms of security if that is not provided and over all if the security situation on the ground becomes dangerous what else can ICRC do?
IT is a totaly justified decision by Red Cross and perhaps other agencies may follow. The sad unfortunate part is that the people who will suffer due to absence of these services had nothing to do with this.
Who needs infidel 'Red Cross' when we have holy 'Green Crescent'! Where is the 'Green Crescent' BTW? Why are they not helping out the fellow pakistani muslim brothers?
shame on this country.
I think all foreign agencies should pull out. Unfortunately, only the poor and infirm will suffer.
Nice work by terrorists! Sad for the people who lost services of selfless workers
One more step toward isolation of Pakistan------are we so blind or so stupid to understand our own role in this situation. Pity ourselves for being surrounded by our own homegrown enemies and pity our this collective indiferrence to this. We must wake up and for God sake do something to fight the indigenous dangers to our existence. We must unite and fight this menace of terrorism attacking our own interests.
sad
It was a shamful insident,it is against Islam and humanity,ICRC shuld not suspend their activities in pakistan becaus it will be the secsuss of evil.
Shame on all of those who call themselves humans and kill people in the name of God who are providing care for their families. Relief workers who are providing basic necessities and relief work risk their lives to provide us with better health care, medicines(original and not expired), sanitation and list goes on. I breaks my heart when I read what happened with Khalil Dale. Allah made angels with characteristics such as intellect and beasts with sensuality but humans with both of them. When his sensuality overcomes his intellect he is worse than beast.
RIP
They are here to help us.. and look how they're rewarded. :(