QUETTA – After holding a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) GeneralQamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday night, the leaders of the Shiite Hazara communityhave called off the days-long protest against the target killings.
A Quetta-based young woman lawyer and human rights activist, Jalila Haidar,started a hunger strike on Friday outside the city’s press club, demandingend to killing of Hazara community people.
She was approached by political leaders, including Balochistan ChiefMinister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, butshe refused to end the strike until they were not assured by the army chief.
COAS Bajwa on Tuesday reached Quetta to meet notables of Hazara community,the Inter-Services Public Relations reported, adding that the army chiefalong with federal interior minister, CM and home minister Balochistan,Commander Southern Command met representatives of Hazara Community.
The leaders of the protesting community shared concerns about targetkilling of their people, to which, the army chief shared their grief andoffered fatiha for the departed souls.
Bajwa said that while nothing can compensate the loss of dear ones, heassured Hazara community brethren that those who have targeted them shallsuffer twice as much, a press release of military’s media wing said.
He said that state was responsible for security of its citizens and allstate institutions were concerned for this.
“Each and every casualty including from Hazara community is of concern tous and our brave security forces are performing their best and willinglyoffering monumental sacrifices to bring lasting peace to the country,” hesaid.
“During 2018 alone, so far 37 security forces personnel have laid theirlives in Quetta. Through a unified national effort, we have turned the tideof terrorism, however a lot is still being done against inimical designs toreverse the gains by exploiting various fault lines”.
The security forces have busted many terrorists’ networks, he said,adding: “We know how these networks are being supported by hostileagencies”.
“We are Muslim first and then anything else. Every Pakistani irrespectiveof religion, sect, language or caste has to stay steadfast and united todefeat hostile forces trying to create divisions,” he added.
Chief of Army Staff further said, “We shall defeat hostile attempts throughnational cohesion. Anything and everything which is for the betterment ofsecurity of people of Pakistan shall be done”.