Historically, Balochistan has remained a secular and tolerant society. It has remained home to Muslims belonging to all sects of Islam, Hindus and other religious minorities. It was the only province of the country which was not abandoned by the Hindu minorities at the time of Partition in 1947. For the people of Balochistan, a person’s affiliation toward another sect has always been a personal or at least a communal matter. It was only two decades back when Sunni kids used to attend Shia religious processions in different parts of Quetta. This clearly demonstrated a deliberate ignorance of the members of our society toward the scourge of sectarianism.
Sectarian harmony has always been the hallmark of the society in Balochistan. This tradition must be upheld at all costs.
Increasing sectarianism in Balochistan is not solely the result of social unrest but is a clear exhibition of bad governance. The provincial government’s inability to dismantle gropes that are targeting the members of the Hazara tribe and Shia community is highly regrettable. This issue has to be fixed only by hunting down the rogue elements within the security establishment.
Balochistan Police have enormously suffered in its operations against sectarian groups in a plenty of attacks. A lot of policemen have been killed in such assaults which the perpetrators claimed were either in response to the arrest of their supporters or as a warning to the government to stay away from the Sunni-Shia battle. Yet, the police department has not fully owned the challenge of fighting this ugly battle.
The fresh killing of six innocent civilians in an incident of rocket firing in Quetta is disturbing. It just came as a reminder that the threat of sectarianism was not over and the Hazara tribe living in Balochistan continued to remain vulnerable. It is important to understand that the bulk of Shias living in Balochistan belong to Hazara tribe. While almost every Hazara is a Shia, all Shias, on the other hand, are not Hazaras. Thus, these attacks cannot be termed as ethnically motivated. They have religious ambitions. Attacks on Shias in Balochistan mostly take place in Quetta because most of them live in the provincial capital. However, as some Shias have started to live in areas like Mastung and Bolan, the constituency of violence directed toward members of the Shia community has also gradually expanded.
It is encouraging to see that the nationalist political parties and trade unions have joined hands to condemn the killing of the members of the Hazara tribe by observing a complete shutter down strike in Quetta, Balochistan’s capital, and elsewhere in the province. There is a greater need for all the political and social stakeholders to cooperate with each other to retain the secular and tolerant qualities of this society.
Since former military dictator, General Zia-ul-Haq inducted his suspicious policies of Islamization, Shias of Balochistan, like their compatriots elsewhere in the country, have enormously suffered because of his insane wave of violence. Thousands of innocent people have been butchered by underground Sunni militant groups. Over the years, no federal or provincial government prioritized the issue of uprooting sectarian violence in the country. While it is almost impossible to exterminate sectarianism itself, combating sectarian violence is still possible if the government makes it a top priority.
Baloch political parties must play a more proactive role in condemning such violent incidents inside the province and offer all possible cooperation to the members of the Shia and Hazara communities. The Hazara Democratic Party, for instance, has always backed the Baloch demands and strongly condemned the oppression and operations against the Baloch. At this critical juncture, they must be offered unqualified assurance and support from every responsible citizen of the province.
The government of Balochistan should also work on areas requiring improvement in the domain of law and order. It is pathetic that no First Investigation Report (FIR) of the shootings had been registered until the writing of this editorial. Quetta Police have claimed to have randomly detained at least ten suspects which is unlikely to genuinely address the matter itself. The provincial administration should do whatever it takes to defeat sectarianism.
Source,
http://www.thebalochhal.com/2011/05/editorial-shia-hazara-genocide-must-stop/
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Daily Times Editorial: Attack on Hazaras
A terrorist attack on members of the Hazara community in the ground and adjacent cemetery in Hazara Town of Quetta left eight dead and 15 wounded. People were taking an early morning stroll, playing sports in the ground or praying at the graves of dead relatives in the adjoining cemetery when the attack took place. Preliminary police investigation reveals it was a sectarian attack. The audacity with which this attack has been carried out boggles the mind. In a highly coordinated assault, after firing rockets from the nearby mountains, about a dozen terrorists appeared on the site in vehicles, lobbed hand grenades and started indiscriminate firing. This continued for about 20 minutes before they fled, leaving behind a trail of blood and gore. The death toll could have been much higher had this happened in an enclosed compound instead of an open ground. According to media reports, banned sectarian outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for this incident. In reaction, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Hazara Democratic Party observed a shutter-down strike in Quetta.
Extremist Wahabi outfits such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba consider Shias wajib-ul-qatl (worthy of murder). The Hazaras are a Shia community straddling Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is not the first time that they have been targeted due to their religious orientation. There is so much fanatical hatred amongst these extremist groups that it really does not matter to them if they are killing unarmed innocent people, including women and children, as long as the targeted persons fit their description of being ‘infidels’. It is alarming that, despite being banned, these outfits are operating with impunity in the length and breadth of Pakistan. Strangely, in a highly sensitive area such as Quetta, which is in the grip of an insurgency, no prior intelligence was available to law enforcement agencies about this attack. Frontier Corp and intelligence agencies have gained notoriety for their highhandedness in dealing with Balcoh activists, whom they illegally detain, torture and murder. How is it possible that they did not know of the presence of sectarian outfits and their activities in the area? Where was the police when this was happening? It is time the law enforcement agencies revamped their priorities and focused on protecting the citizens by rooting out militant sectarian networks and remaining vigilant about any such presence in their area. Otherwise, violence will not stop here. *
Source,
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C05%5C08%5Cstory_8-5-2011_pg3_1
Extremist Wahabi outfits such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba consider Shias wajib-ul-qatl (worthy of murder). The Hazaras are a Shia community straddling Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is not the first time that they have been targeted due to their religious orientation. There is so much fanatical hatred amongst these extremist groups that it really does not matter to them if they are killing unarmed innocent people, including women and children, as long as the targeted persons fit their description of being ‘infidels’. It is alarming that, despite being banned, these outfits are operating with impunity in the length and breadth of Pakistan. Strangely, in a highly sensitive area such as Quetta, which is in the grip of an insurgency, no prior intelligence was available to law enforcement agencies about this attack. Frontier Corp and intelligence agencies have gained notoriety for their highhandedness in dealing with Balcoh activists, whom they illegally detain, torture and murder. How is it possible that they did not know of the presence of sectarian outfits and their activities in the area? Where was the police when this was happening? It is time the law enforcement agencies revamped their priorities and focused on protecting the citizens by rooting out militant sectarian networks and remaining vigilant about any such presence in their area. Otherwise, violence will not stop here. *
Source,
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C05%5C08%5Cstory_8-5-2011_pg3_1
Quetta city closed to mourn killing of people
Posted on May 8, 2011
QUETTA (INP): Quetta city observed a shutter down on Saturday to condemn the killing of six people and injuries to 10 others in Hazara Town which had been termed an apparent sectarian attack by the locals.
The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) gave the strike call, which was supported by the Baloch National Party, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, the Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and traders union.
Jinnah Road, Circular Road, Shahrah-e-Iqbal, Liaquat Bazaar, Prince Road, Abdul Sattar Road, Maykangi Road, Kansi Road, Airport Road, Zarghun Road, Almo Chowk, Ispny Road, Pashtun Abad, Almdar Road, , Jinnah Town, Shahbaz Town, Hazara and small and big trading centres in other areas of the city remained closed.
Six people were killed and 10 others wounded in firing and rocket attacks in Hazara Town, Brewery Road area on Friday early in the morning when people were taking morning exercise.
A banned militant group Laskhar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility of the attack. Preliminary investigations by the police have confirmed this was a sectarian incident.
Police officials said dozens of people belonging to the Hazara community were busy in taking their morning walk at around 6:30am at a ground adjacent to the Hazara Town graveyard when unidentified armed men riding two pick-ups arrived and fired three rockets and opened indiscriminate firing.
The people who went on protest and shutter down have demanded of the government to nab the culprits and save the city from such terror incidents in future.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers of those killed in the Friday ambush were offered and were laid to rest in the Hazara graveyard.
However, FIR of the incident has not been lodged because SHO Ameer Mohammad Dashti of Barvari Police Station was also injured in the assault on Friday and was under treatment in hospital.
Source,
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=11391
QUETTA (INP): Quetta city observed a shutter down on Saturday to condemn the killing of six people and injuries to 10 others in Hazara Town which had been termed an apparent sectarian attack by the locals.
The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) gave the strike call, which was supported by the Baloch National Party, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, the Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and traders union.
Jinnah Road, Circular Road, Shahrah-e-Iqbal, Liaquat Bazaar, Prince Road, Abdul Sattar Road, Maykangi Road, Kansi Road, Airport Road, Zarghun Road, Almo Chowk, Ispny Road, Pashtun Abad, Almdar Road, , Jinnah Town, Shahbaz Town, Hazara and small and big trading centres in other areas of the city remained closed.
Six people were killed and 10 others wounded in firing and rocket attacks in Hazara Town, Brewery Road area on Friday early in the morning when people were taking morning exercise.
A banned militant group Laskhar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility of the attack. Preliminary investigations by the police have confirmed this was a sectarian incident.
Police officials said dozens of people belonging to the Hazara community were busy in taking their morning walk at around 6:30am at a ground adjacent to the Hazara Town graveyard when unidentified armed men riding two pick-ups arrived and fired three rockets and opened indiscriminate firing.
The people who went on protest and shutter down have demanded of the government to nab the culprits and save the city from such terror incidents in future.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers of those killed in the Friday ambush were offered and were laid to rest in the Hazara graveyard.
However, FIR of the incident has not been lodged because SHO Ameer Mohammad Dashti of Barvari Police Station was also injured in the assault on Friday and was under treatment in hospital.
Source,
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=11391
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Official website of Bamiyan Tourism
Discovering Bamyan
Click below on "Bamiyan Tourism" to go to website
Bamiyan Tourism
The remote land of Bamyan lies at the heart of Afghanistan in the midst of the Hindu Kush, far from the well-beaten tracks of the 21st century. The spirit of the great Buddhas still presides over this valley. To travel here is to discover something of an older world when merchants, pilgrims and conquerors from half of Asia passed through this area.
Bamyan lies at the crossing of ancient trade routes which traversed the Hindu Kush from north to south and east to west, linking Central Asia, India and Iran. Approaching by road you cross the bleak Shibar Pass, then pass through precipitous gorges until suddenly a lost world opens up before you...
Visit Bamiyan tourism website;
Bamiyan Tourism
Click below on "Bamiyan Tourism" to go to website
Bamiyan Tourism
The remote land of Bamyan lies at the heart of Afghanistan in the midst of the Hindu Kush, far from the well-beaten tracks of the 21st century. The spirit of the great Buddhas still presides over this valley. To travel here is to discover something of an older world when merchants, pilgrims and conquerors from half of Asia passed through this area.
Bamyan lies at the crossing of ancient trade routes which traversed the Hindu Kush from north to south and east to west, linking Central Asia, India and Iran. Approaching by road you cross the bleak Shibar Pass, then pass through precipitous gorges until suddenly a lost world opens up before you...
Visit Bamiyan tourism website;
Bamiyan Tourism
MQM condemns Quetta attack
By our correspondent
Karachi
The MQM has condemned the terrorist attack in Hazara Town area of Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province. Members of the MQM Rabita Committee expressed grief over the death the people in the incident on Friday, and termed the attack an attempt to spreading sectarian violence in the city. They said that the people involved in killing of innocent people are enemies of Islam and humanity. They demanded of President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take immediate notice of the attack and take measures to stop such attacks. They condoled with family members of those who lost their lives in the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
Source,
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=45513&Cat=4&dt=5/7/2011
Karachi
The MQM has condemned the terrorist attack in Hazara Town area of Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province. Members of the MQM Rabita Committee expressed grief over the death the people in the incident on Friday, and termed the attack an attempt to spreading sectarian violence in the city. They said that the people involved in killing of innocent people are enemies of Islam and humanity. They demanded of President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take immediate notice of the attack and take measures to stop such attacks. They condoled with family members of those who lost their lives in the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
Source,
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=45513&Cat=4&dt=5/7/2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)