Parliamentary committee to meet protesters in Quetta
The parliamentary group arrived in Quetta at the PM's instruction
Shia Muslim women demonstrate on the third day of protests following Saturday's bombing in Quetta on February 19, 2013, against the bombing targeted Shia Muslims. PHOTO: AFP
The parliamentary committee formed by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf reached Quetta to hold talks with the protesters on Tuesday, Express News reported.
The committee includes Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Federal Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio.
The committee will hold meetings with representatives of MWM and Hazara Democratic Party (HDP).
Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfikar Magsi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also reached Quetta to participate in the talks. Malik also visited Combined Military Hospital to meet the injured.
Earlier, the survivors of the bombing had declared their refusal to bury their loved their ones till the time a military operation was not launched to catch the attack masterminds.
To express solidarity with the Shia Hazaras in Quetta, several protests and sits-in across the country also continued after the government failed to fulfill the demands of the Hazara community.
In Lahore, many roads were blocked, including the GT Road and motorway interchanges, causing inconvenience to transporters. A sit-in was also being held at Shahdara Chowk.
The Majlis-e-Wehdat-e-Muslameen (MWM) members continued their sit-in outside Governor House in Lahore, demanding those involved in the blast to be arrested.
Streets in Karachi also remained deserted while private schools were closed. Several areas, including Ancholi and Ayesha Manzil, were blocked as protesters burnt tyres. Shia Ulema Council and MWM in Karachi said that they would continue with their sits-in till their demands are met.
Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ameer Nawab and Bashir Jaan came to the sit-in in Karachi to express solidarity with the protesters.
In Patel Para, protesters opened fire at the police after the funeral was held for one of the four people killed in last night’s firing in the area. The police resorted to aerial gunfire and shelling to disperse the protesters.
On February 16, a massive bomb ripped though a busy market in a Shia Hazara neighbourhood of Quetta, killing more than 80 people and injuring nearly 200.
The committee includes Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Federal Minister for Political Affairs Maula Bux Chandio.
The committee will hold meetings with representatives of MWM and Hazara Democratic Party (HDP).
Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfikar Magsi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also reached Quetta to participate in the talks. Malik also visited Combined Military Hospital to meet the injured.
Earlier, the survivors of the bombing had declared their refusal to bury their loved their ones till the time a military operation was not launched to catch the attack masterminds.
To express solidarity with the Shia Hazaras in Quetta, several protests and sits-in across the country also continued after the government failed to fulfill the demands of the Hazara community.
In Lahore, many roads were blocked, including the GT Road and motorway interchanges, causing inconvenience to transporters. A sit-in was also being held at Shahdara Chowk.
The Majlis-e-Wehdat-e-Muslameen (MWM) members continued their sit-in outside Governor House in Lahore, demanding those involved in the blast to be arrested.
Streets in Karachi also remained deserted while private schools were closed. Several areas, including Ancholi and Ayesha Manzil, were blocked as protesters burnt tyres. Shia Ulema Council and MWM in Karachi said that they would continue with their sits-in till their demands are met.
Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ameer Nawab and Bashir Jaan came to the sit-in in Karachi to express solidarity with the protesters.
In Patel Para, protesters opened fire at the police after the funeral was held for one of the four people killed in last night’s firing in the area. The police resorted to aerial gunfire and shelling to disperse the protesters.
On February 16, a massive bomb ripped though a busy market in a Shia Hazara neighbourhood of Quetta, killing more than 80 people and injuring nearly 200.