Daily Times

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the latest incident of wanton violence against the Hazara community in Balochistan and takes serious notice of the government’s “failure to curb violence against a minority community and its inability to launch a crackdown on known militant outfits”.

“The latest targeted killings in Mastung are part of a long series of sectarian-terrorist attacks. More than 1,400 attacks took place in the province over the past 15 years. Despite all claims by the government towards ensuring the protection of Hazaras, the community remains as vulnerable as ever and the perpetrators of violence as free as ever. It is critical that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly and all elements responsible for fermenting the conflict confronted,” the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The continued prevalence of violence in parts of the country and the breakdown in law and order are symptomatic of the absence of the government’s writ in these areas.

“The HRCP remains dismayed by the fact that the deployment of law enforcement agencies and direct administrative measures have only led to further slide in the situation.”

It added, “The continued marginalisation and disenfranchisement of certain segments of the population not only has adverse implications for the country, in terms of adverse economic and investment implications, but also tarnishes the nation’s image internationally.

The HRCP expressed solidarity with the victim’s families, particularly Hazara community, and expressed hope that the government would take all possible steps to prevent recurrence of such attacks, targeting a particular community, on ethnic and religious basis.

Published in Daily Times, July 20^th , 2017.