Shias demonstrate as they sit between the coffins of bombing victims in Quetta on January 12, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday called a meeting of government allies belonging to Balochistan, following the uproar caused in the aftermath of the twin blasts resulting in over a 100 deaths in Quetta, Express News reported.
The session is scheduled for Monday, January 14.
The president will consult with the allies over the issue of Balochistan’s security.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf arrived in Quetta to meet Shia Muslim families refusing to bury their dead after devastating bombings.
At least 92 people were killed and 121 wounded Thursday in twin suicide attacks claimed by militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in an area dominated by Shias from the Hazara ethnic minority.
It was the worst ever sectarian attack on Shias, who account for around 20 per cent of Pakistan’s 180 million people and are regularly targeted for attack by extremists.
Shia families have refused to bury their dead and vowed to continue a sit-in protest with thousands of others until the army takes over security in the city.
They have been sitting in the open with the bodies for the past 48 hours.
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All those who believe that the political leaders are to be blamed: If one is a Muslim, he cannot deny the word of God which clarifies the people of world that they will have leaders similar in essence to the deeds they possess. Each individual acknowledges these words and contends himself that he is just but the others around him are to blamed for the leaders. These people are the ones who ask for removal of leaders. If we realise the words of God we may not put up such foolish queries. Think who you are following, check on your religious leaders, reflect on their characters and investigate the conflicts in their sayings. There is no conspirer against you but yourself.
The government, intelligence, judiciary and the army, all know who the culprits are but fear the people. The people who follow or fear religious extremists, conciously or unconciously. Take for example the Edhi worker who gets threats from the unknown for helping the Quetta victims, starts to fear and a silence will prevail on his conscience disallowing him to work effectively. The same fear prevails on the establishment and government, the fear of disintegration by the people if they act. Yet it is the same people who are suffering.
A liberal Pakistani writes brilliantly against clerics on ET yet uses a fake name. He is also under the same fear.
So, what is left is a fearless religious extremist loose on the streets of Pakistan. Openly targeting the politicians, opposing sects, judiciary, army and individuals. Sending a false message of conspiracy (Anti-america, Anti-West, Anti-Israel, Anti-India, Anti-world) to hide his hideous acts.
The effect is a failing nation (Pakistan).
Is ET sleeping? Most of other news sources have already broken news of Governor rule in Balochistan
This is the reason that a dictator is better than any of these hollow political parties with their fake leaders. Democracy is indeed not for us.
This Government is the main terrorist who is enabling and tolerating this to occur!
Zardari the least you could have done was flown off to Quetta, instead of sitting in Bilawal House.
no need to call so called Pak army. we need UN to come here with UN peace keeping force
@DANY: shame on the nation who are still "asking" for this govt to resign. this is the height of our own impotency that we expect any such thing from the corrupt elite whom we elevated to the doors of power knowing well that they are there to abuse power, fill their own pockets and keep people deprived from their basic rights.. totally insane!!!....its high time to drag these corrupt elite out of their palaces and chuck them out of their castles and palaces. If this nation is hesitant and has any qualms to do that then they deserve the miseries and injustice they go through.
Where is Chief Justice of Pakistan? He can see bottles but not dead bodies. Shame on whole senseless government machinery.
Now it seems the demand should be the sacking of not only Blochistan govt but the entire govt should be sacked. This country deserve another cruel Martial Law.
balochistan assembly be dissolved..hand over the control to army..raisani should be arrested
@Raza Khan: In a few months you all could decide about the fate of this current corrupt governments and banish them for years to come along with other corrupt parties. Military governments has corrupted the nation and don't forget that they have imported prime ministers from abroad and what did they do, you all know it better than me. Believe me that a broken and quasi democracy is far better than dictatorships and martial laws. Do you really want that Mush back who has sold out the country to the Americans and now lives a very luxurious life in London, look into his finances and where did he get the money and above all look into the retired and current Generals Accounts and their Properties at home and over seas.
@Faqir Ipi: Well said, I could not have said it better. Thank you for your candid comments.
Shame Shame and Shame
it’s been more than 72 hours, the protesters including women, men, children and old people are sitting in the minus 7 temperature with their dead bodies to demand justice in Quetta. It showed the cruelty of the Provincial and Federal Government who doesn't have the courage to fulfill the genuine demands of the protesters. The Federal Government and ruling Political Parties are trying to save their seats. It’s indeed a worst ever incident of terrorism while targeting hundreds of Hazara Community. Also the Chief Justice has not yet taken a suo moto of the incident. We all are deeply grieved on this loss of human life and condemn the Provincial and Federal Government for their delay tactics to arrest the culprits.
More causality can take place due to harsh weather conditions but Government is sitting in their cosy drawing rooms to discuss the situation. Shame Shame
This PPP rule has destroyed the moral fibre of the country through corruption and bad governance. There is no security of life. What is Army doing?what are security agencies doing? Pakistan is quickly becoming a failed state
How can current government protect its citizens from anyone if people in government are corrupt and thugs themselves? And who do we have to blame for bringing these people in power? Pakistanis need to take control and bring right individuals to power.
They do nothing but just talk.
Zardari sir!! Please resign please...Go now,We have had enough of you,now leave us alone PPP,leave us
Shame on sleeping Government
This President is a disgrace for the entire nation! Tribune pls stop censoring people emotions against this impotent and corrupt govt.
I hate martial law but what choices poor Pakistanis are left with due to these incompetent & corupt leaders! Hell with democracy, if it means no law and order, high inflation, corruption, unemployment, devaluation of currency & nepotism.
Zardari got 1st class academical education from the renowned professors of their fields............25 semesters!
And he became the President of Pakistan...........!!!!!!
What is the use of calling a meeting with allies. The allies are the issues in Balochistan. Immeditely sack the non-functional, morally corrupt ministers.
I say, ground this country to complete halt. Don't budge. Don't give way.
Shia should avoid retaliatory bloodshed as much as possible. Shutting down the country would be a far saner option in these circumstances.
The demands of the sit-in protesters hit the nail on the head. These sit-ins can potentially cripple society if something tangible doesn't come out of it, now that we have top people from the opposition parties joining in too.
Either that or people should gladly welcome American drones raining down on terrorists hideouts in Mastung and other areas.
no not the martial law is the solution... where is our intelligence who calming of being best..why don't they control ?
Failed state. Need to dissolved it.
Dear government, You have announced compensations for the deceased. Your duty is done. No need to waste time on these useless meetings. You all can go and join Balochistan Chief Minister abroad.
The lack of justice is fuelling a human rights crisis in the Waziristan where so called Taliban and al Qaeda-linked violence is concentrated.
Pakistan’s armed forces arbitrarily detain thousands for long periods with little or no access to due process. Cases of death and torture, detainees are never brought before court and relatives have no idea of their fate, sometimes for extended periods of time spanning over years. Almost on daily basis the bodies of those arrested by the armed forces are being returned to their families or reportedly found dumped across the roads.
Although judges and media give impression to investigate the fate of people who go missing, no military personnel or any govt official had been prosecuted for alleged torture, enforced disappearance or deaths in custody or lack of responsibilty.
Millitary and Political agents have sweeping powers of arrest and detention with complete media black out and no jurisdiction of the courts and parliament.
Thousands have been killed as a result of terrorism in the country since the 9/11 and that its forces have for years in Waziristan due to various incentives (like Aid, Politcal Backing in Islamabad, Peshawar, Pindi) and extensions (Gen Kiyani).
Media and so called civil society will never ever feel bothered to contact ruling elites and Military officials. They will distort the perspective as there is huge investment in media of the extra regional powers.
Ruling elites from Greater Mardan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Pindi and Lahore targets all those who raises voices on these human rights violations, gencide and easily wash their hand by later on blaming it on so called Millitants, Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Lower cadre personnel of security forces and Govt officials are also brutally killed and captured in order to keep the pot boiling and get a license for violating the human rights. Common people are also killed in the areas where so called Taliban and militant have strong holds, in order to keep the masses in fear and pose a great threats to the Pakistani community.
Is martial law the solution? How many martial laws have we had in the past? 3? 4? Have they been able to control Lashkar-e-Jhangvi or Sipah-e-Sahaba? By some accounts the army has considered them strategic assets, not enemies by any account. Army rule is not a solution, a complete and unequivocal crackdown on all militants is.
So finally the government has woken from slumber......but it's too late the innocent hazaras are being killed at will by the terrorist.....shame on us pakistanis.....pakistan died in quetta on thursday....for one year the hazaras are being killed like flies....just when the great zardari sees his government at stake with the long march coming.....he wakes from political sleep to save his government......bilawal was right......democracy is the best revenge.
oohhhhhh.... So soooonnnnnn Mr President ,,,,!!!! It has been just three days since the incident,, let the bodies of martyrs decompose...!!!!
What is the use of these meetings. Nothing comes out of them. Sack the entire Balochistan parliament. Impose martial law.