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
Majlis-e-Wehdat-e-Muslameen (MWM), Unity Council of Quetta, Shia Ulema Council, All Pakistan Shia Action Committee have called for an end to the nationwide protests and sit ins condemning the Quetta bombing on Tuesday.
The Shia leader Allama Amin Shaheedi made this call while addressing the media alongside Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Kaira was heading a six member government mission to Quetta which conducted successful negotiations with leaders of the Shia councils.
The Shia leader who represented the major Shia ulema councils at the media briefing, had also called for the survivors to start preparations for the burials of their loved ones. The final timing of the mass burials would be announced later, he said.
"We are thankful to everyone who participated in the overall negotiations and the protests," he added saying that the media and the nationwide rallies played a major role in setting a new public discourse on the issues of the Hazara community.
Addressing the media, Kaira said that the government had resolved to learn from its past mistakes and that more attention would now be paid towards providing more security to the Hazara community.
He said that the government had resolved to permanently establish a three member committee that would oversee all the required work with regards to addressing capacity building measures within the Hazara community.
"The three people committee will liaise with the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and other authorities, so that the progress on the work required can be monitored," he said.
Kaira and Shaheedi also said that the operation that is currently underway started last night and was being conducted by the army.
"Army jawans are already taking part in the operations, which will go on till the time the terror infrastructure is not completely uprooted," Shaheedi said.
"If we can eradicate terrorism from Pakistan after this incident then this would be a victory for the martyrs," he remarked.
Shaheedi and Kaira also resolved to keep the media abreast with all developments so that the nation could be taken into confidence.
COMMENTS (13)
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LeJ is primarily based in Jhang is it not? Wil imposing an army rule in Quetta (the demand that the protestors are making) help achieve their goal?
Anyway their resolute stand and courage are worthy of deep respect and their demand to get the problem stop - absolutely legitimate. The fact that people in other cities are also protesting to demonstrate their support is also really good. This is the heart of democracy i.e people being engaged and making the government respond. Just voting once every 5 years is not enough. It is also very heartening that these sit-ins are by and large non-violent.
Salute the protestors. I pray that these heartless killings stop.
@Sohaib Ahmed: Nice thoughtful blog. I had gone to your link earlier as well but it was in Urdu, so I could not read. Appreciate the effort to translate it in English.
Latest is that the sit in continues as the people have rejected the governments position claiming that they said this the last time as well..................government credibility is ZERO.
When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions... They tried to drown their sorrows from the previous incident and look now they have to swim again in the sea of pain.. Where are we going.. What is our future.... I still always believe after all this good times are yet to come... Stay Strong everyone!!
All this talks, negotiations are not going to bring anything until or unless we as a Nation start a campaign to stop hate factories. only way forward to stop shia killings in future is to stop hate spreading in the country. here is my take on this issue. http://stopextremism.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/hate-is-the-reason-english/
At least this time there was a 'committee' sent to look into the matter; if nothing else, the government has at least taken a step in the direction showing that they are serious. This time stands in contrast with the last time, even if the layering of the entire event has been the same, with the Hazara refusing to bury their dead until their demands are met, the government HAS brought in the army now. While, with the entire Shia community, I hope that this event doesn't hit a hatrick, I sincerely believe that the government's reaction has some semblance of sympathy this time.
FYI. The Dharna in Quetta has not ended. The families of the martyred DEMAND Army in charge and the killers to be hanged in PUBLIC.
@ Ahmed Bhai,, Sorry for the Word Bro... Be United :)
@Voice of D.I.Khan , We Pakistanis don't use PAKI word .. You are fake man ..
Err some such thing happened just a month ago. A few scores of killings, relatives refusing to bury bodies for 3-4 days, lots of media coverage, a few hundreds of blogs, the government sending delegates to 'talk', the relatives then accepting to bury their dead. Then one month later the story repeated. Will we see such a repetition in a few more weeks ? Hope not but then ...
Follow through is the key, courts should set up expedited hearings by higher courts for cases like these and complete it withing 8-10 weeks. Justice delayed is justice denied. Lets make this a benchmark case, lets make this as an example. I hope these political parties follow through on this after limelight is taken away.
I think It's the last warning for Pakistan.... Now if it happens again Civil War will start in Pakistan..... And Paki intelligence agencies and Forces should realize it now, because they know everything , why it's happening and who's doing it.....
Now lets wait for another blast and another dharna. We Shias are so hopeless. This government and agencies don't really care. They would only care if their loved ones were being killed like this. May Allah protect these innocent people.