The Hazaras community in Quetta continued its protest. They have displayed the dead bodies of the people killed in Mach at the protest site. They say until their demands are met, they would not bury the dead. 11 Hazara miners were killed on Saturday in Mach by terrorists. Daesh later claimed the attack.
The protest was started by Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen. It was joined by the families of the killed Hazara people. Later, many Hazaras, including old, young, women and children joined the protest. The government did not show any seriousness towards the protest at the beginning. The situation worsened because of the way Chief Minister Jamal Khan dealt with the issue.
The protesters say that after such a tragedy in the province, the chief minister should have returned from Dubai immediately. After seeing the situation getting out of control, some provincial ministers reached the protest site, however, the protestors refused to talk to provincial ministers and have asked Prime Minister Imran Khan should himself assure the protestors that their demands would be met.
The dharna is led by a 14-member committee which is headed by the leader of MWM, Syed Muhammad Agha Raza, who has alleged that just a few days before the attack, a security check post was removed from the area. The protestors demand immediate arrest of the killers, resignation from the provincial government and a judicial inquiry in the tragedy. Sources say that to increase terror attacks in Pakistan. Daesh does not have any presence in Balochistan. But the union of banned Baloch terror groups and TTP has increased the possibility of collective attacks. The attack carried out with the support of seperatist in country meant to fuel sectarianism in the country, it is being said.
Terrorists have brutally killed 11 miners after abducting them in the Mach area of Balochistan. The slain workers belong to the Hazaras community. Terrorist groups in Balochistan have been stepping up their attacks for the past two months. Separatist organizations and groups promoting sectarianism have been active in spreading unrest in Balochistan. In addition to instilling fear in the local population and jeopardising Pakistan’s economic interests, these people are creating the impression that the local administration has failed. ISIS is also trying to develop a sense that security agencies have failed to protect civilians from terrorist elements. The situation in Balochistan is dire. For some time, peace in Balochistan has been threatened by forces seeking to destabilize Pakistan.
Due to its large area and small population, it becomes a challenge for the state to provide basic amenities to every citizen. A large part of the local population is subordinate to the tribal chiefs. Despite the passage of 73 years, governments have not been able to end the grip of tribal oppression and make citizens realize that the state is the guarantor of their basic rights. This sense of deprivation in Balochistan has been misused by many countries. The targeting of the Hazaras community began under General Pervez Musharraf. These attacks have so far affected a large number of Hazaras several times during the last few years.
It is true that India openly threatens operations in Balochistan but the international community does not take notice of it. It is also true that there is scope for improvement in our intelligence system, the counter-terrorism mechanism, and raise the level of trust among the local population. Security agencies should be used to protect national interests other than CPEC. The misleading and mischievous ideology that the enemy has started spreading is actually the cause of local support for terrorists.
Balochistan is gaining international attention as a developing region. In these circumstances, the free movement of terrorists in Balochistan is a matter of grave concern. It is important that the government and the security agencies do not limit themselves to showing sympathy for the families of the slain workers, but ensure that such incidents are prevented in future.