The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the recent targeted sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan. It called for punishing the perpetrators and for addressing the root causes that allow such violence to persist. In a statement issued, HRCP said: “It has noted with great alarm the rise of apparently sectarian and ethnic killings in Balochistan, after a brief hiatus. It is unfortunate that the authorities have not been able to prevent sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan despite repeated demands. At best, the violence has ebbed for a few weeks before returning to claim more lives.In the latest bout of targeted attacks, the long suffering Hazara community has been targeted in Quetta. The victims included two brothers who were shot and killed outside the passport office in Quetta on Monday. This was not the first time that Hazara citizens queuing up at the passport office had been mowed down. The persistent and targeted violence against the Hazaras is among the key reasons why members of this community try and flee the country.“Equally distressing is the killing in Pasni of three labourers, who were apparently killed because they belonged to Khanewal district in Punjab. HRCP is of the opinion that the elements involved in such killings and in promoting ethnic hatred and divisiveness are doing no service to Balochistan. What would actually be surprising is when the government makes this province a priority, finally opening their eyes to the man-made calamities here. Recently hundreds of militants have renounced violence in exchange for state amnesty. Additionally under the NAP, religious seminaries will be registered through the education department in the province, with 2000 madrassas already registered by the Industries Department in Balochistan. Before one can breathe a sigh of relief over this flicker of good news, the probability of this succeeding and the nature of its repercussions is the real question.For a program to disarm the militants, it might be too late to negotiate with the resilient tribal chiefs of the area. Truthfully, it will be easy to pick up arms again, than it will be for the government to provide complete rehabilitation and reintegration of Balochis into society.It seems that it will take much more than these constant warnings and plea to instill in the government some sort of civic responsibility to protect the lives of all citizens.
pk.shafaqna.com
