Mastung tragedy: Protests end after Nisar assures of govt action
Interior Minister says state has decided things will not go on like this.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar (C) speaks after meeting with representatives of the Hazara Community in Quetta flanked by Minister for Information Pervez Rashid (2ndR) and Balochistan chief minister Abdul Malik (1st L). PHOTO: BANARAS KHAN/EXPRESS
QUETTA:
Sit-in protests in Quetta and other parts of Pakistan by the families of pilgrims killed in the Mastung blast ended on Thursday after Chaudhry Nisar and Pervaiz Rasheed finished negotiating with the Hazara community, Express News reported on Thursday.
Relatives of the 28 people slain in the blast had gone into the second day of protests on Alamdar Road in Quetta, refusing to bury their dead unless the government announced a targeted operation against perpetrators of the attack.
The Interior and Information Ministers flew in to Quetta and assuring the protesters of government action against the criminals, persuaded them to end the protest.
"We will not allow the situation to go on like this," said Nisar. "We have expressed solidarity with the victims and assured them that their demands will be met and due action taken."
In response to a question about whether the government had a timeframe for the 'action', Nisar said there indeed is a timeframe. He then mentioned the meeting between top government officials earlier on Thursday, where he said security matters were discussed extensively and the decision taken to put an immediate and complete stop to such attacks.
Earlier, Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had visited Alamdar Road to express solidarity with the protesters last night. Promising better security for Hazara pilgrims on the Taftan-Quetta highway, Dr Malik said the provincial administration was considering the option of launching a ferry service.
Despite assurances from the chief minister, the protesters called upon the federal government to take action against the groups stoking violence in the province.
An Express News screengrab showing a relative of a victim in Quetta.
Later on Thursday, Federal Ministers Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Pervez Rashid visited the Headquarters of the Army's Southern Command, reported Radio Pakistan.
During their visit, Commander Southern Command Lt. General Nasir Janjua briefed them about the security situation prevailing in Quetta.
Karachi
Protesting the Mastung killings and demanding justice, members of the Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) staged sit-ins in 10 different places in the city.
The demonstrations are organised at Numaish Chowrangi, Rizvia, North Nazminabad, Ayesha Manzil, Ancholi, Abbas Town, Drig Road, Jafar-e-Tayyar, Gulistan-e-Johar and Malir.
Traffic flow and flight schedule was disrupted due to the protests as many students, workers and flight crews could not reach their respective destinations. This also affected the movement in and out of the city as many flights failed to take off on time. Several passengers were stranded at the airport while some are staying in the nearby hotels.
No special security measures were taken in the wake of these demonstrations to prevent untoward situations. Therefore, unidentified men torched a truck on Drigh Road and burnt a car near Shafiq Mor.
The protests and blocked roads have led to traffic jams in Shah Faisal, Korangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulberg and on MA Jinnah Road.
The University of Karachi examinations scheduled for today were also postponed until further notice.
A screengrab showing protesters in Karachi.
Twin cities
Protesters blocked the Faizabad interchange which connects Rawalpindi with Islamabad and demanded action against the perpetrators of the Mastung tragedy.
The demonstrators are present in the area since last night despite the cold weather.
Security personnel were deployed to ensure safety of the protesters, however, no government official has come to negotiate with the demonstrators.
The blockade resulted in traffic jams in both the cities and people are facing difficulties in reaching their schools and offices.
A screenshot of protesters in Rawalpindi.
Lahore
A large number of protesters staged a sit-in on the Mall Road outside the Governor House and have blocked the road since 6pm yesterday.
Government and security officials negotiated with the protesters today and opened one side of the road for traffic.
A screengrab showing leaders addressing protesters in Lahore.
Apart from the major cities, solidarity demonstrations were also held in other parts of the country. MWM supporters staged sit-ins and blocked major routes near Sehwan, Dadu, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar, Bhit Shah, Badin and other districts.
Sit-in protests in Quetta and other parts of Pakistan by the families of pilgrims killed in the Mastung blast ended on Thursday after Chaudhry Nisar and Pervaiz Rasheed finished negotiating with the Hazara community, Express News reported on Thursday.
Relatives of the 28 people slain in the blast had gone into the second day of protests on Alamdar Road in Quetta, refusing to bury their dead unless the government announced a targeted operation against perpetrators of the attack.
The Interior and Information Ministers flew in to Quetta and assuring the protesters of government action against the criminals, persuaded them to end the protest.
"We will not allow the situation to go on like this," said Nisar. "We have expressed solidarity with the victims and assured them that their demands will be met and due action taken."
In response to a question about whether the government had a timeframe for the 'action', Nisar said there indeed is a timeframe. He then mentioned the meeting between top government officials earlier on Thursday, where he said security matters were discussed extensively and the decision taken to put an immediate and complete stop to such attacks.
Earlier, Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had visited Alamdar Road to express solidarity with the protesters last night. Promising better security for Hazara pilgrims on the Taftan-Quetta highway, Dr Malik said the provincial administration was considering the option of launching a ferry service.
Despite assurances from the chief minister, the protesters called upon the federal government to take action against the groups stoking violence in the province.
An Express News screengrab showing a relative of a victim in Quetta.
Later on Thursday, Federal Ministers Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Pervez Rashid visited the Headquarters of the Army's Southern Command, reported Radio Pakistan.
During their visit, Commander Southern Command Lt. General Nasir Janjua briefed them about the security situation prevailing in Quetta.
Karachi
Protesting the Mastung killings and demanding justice, members of the Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) staged sit-ins in 10 different places in the city.
The demonstrations are organised at Numaish Chowrangi, Rizvia, North Nazminabad, Ayesha Manzil, Ancholi, Abbas Town, Drig Road, Jafar-e-Tayyar, Gulistan-e-Johar and Malir.
Traffic flow and flight schedule was disrupted due to the protests as many students, workers and flight crews could not reach their respective destinations. This also affected the movement in and out of the city as many flights failed to take off on time. Several passengers were stranded at the airport while some are staying in the nearby hotels.
No special security measures were taken in the wake of these demonstrations to prevent untoward situations. Therefore, unidentified men torched a truck on Drigh Road and burnt a car near Shafiq Mor.
The protests and blocked roads have led to traffic jams in Shah Faisal, Korangi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulberg and on MA Jinnah Road.
The University of Karachi examinations scheduled for today were also postponed until further notice.
A screengrab showing protesters in Karachi.
Twin cities
Protesters blocked the Faizabad interchange which connects Rawalpindi with Islamabad and demanded action against the perpetrators of the Mastung tragedy.
The demonstrators are present in the area since last night despite the cold weather.
Security personnel were deployed to ensure safety of the protesters, however, no government official has come to negotiate with the demonstrators.
The blockade resulted in traffic jams in both the cities and people are facing difficulties in reaching their schools and offices.
A screenshot of protesters in Rawalpindi.
Lahore
A large number of protesters staged a sit-in on the Mall Road outside the Governor House and have blocked the road since 6pm yesterday.
Government and security officials negotiated with the protesters today and opened one side of the road for traffic.
A screengrab showing leaders addressing protesters in Lahore.
Apart from the major cities, solidarity demonstrations were also held in other parts of the country. MWM supporters staged sit-ins and blocked major routes near Sehwan, Dadu, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar, Bhit Shah, Badin and other districts.