According to Ahlul Bayt (A) News Agency – ABNA.ir – The Organizing Committee shed detailed light on target killings of Shias taking place, categorically, in various parts of the country for many years, with the aim of dismantling law and order situation and terrorizing innocent people. This press conference highlighted the importance of the then press conference of Balochistan Shia Conference, held in March to denounce the tragic terrorist attack of Karachi, struck in the heart of peaceful procession of March, 2010 when mourners and devotees of Imam Hussein (a.s) were commemorating the Chehlum (40th day after the Martyrdom) of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), martyred dozens of innocent people on the spot and leaving scores injured. The then press conference, representing all organizations of Millet Jafaria Balochistan, demanded of the Government to take stern notice of these terrorist attacks and target killings aimed at terrorizing the innocent people.
This press conference reiterated the need and demanded of the Federal Government to tackle down the exacerbating issue of sectarianism, reveal the financers of these terrorist attacks, apprehend, and penalize the ones involved in these heinous acts. The Organizing Committee of Shohada-e-Balochistan underscored the death toll of target killings in Quetta since March this year, engulfing 18 innocent lives with the mention of coordinated target killing of Arshad Zaidi, a Local Bank Officer and the son of President, Balochistan Shia Conference occurring on 16th of April, 2010. Hours later, a bomb blast occurred in Sandeman Provincial Hospital, targeting the MNA Syed Abbas Hazara a.k.a Syed Nasir Shah which took about a dozen innocent lives on the spot and injuring 38 people. Among the martyrs were two DSPs, one head constable, Malik Arif, Camerman of a private TV channel Samaa, a police constable and a rickshaw driver were among 11 people losing their lives. MNA Nasir shah and his son were among the injured. The Organizing Committee demanded of the Balochistan Provincial Government as to why no one has been apprehended yet? Why the terrorists firing from Civil Hospital and its adjacent buildings have not been recognized and arrested yet? The members of Organizing Committee, Shohada-e-Balochistan, also quoted the speech of the Provincial Interior Minister who had said that they had known who the terrorist had been, when making a speech on the floor of the assembly. The O.C demanded of the Provincial Government to step down as there is no moral ground to hold the reign of the government anymore after a series of target killings and terrorist attacks in Balochistan.
The O. C announced that after deep contemplation it has been decided to invite all Ulemas and active organizations of Pakistan on 23-05-2010 to Quetta to hold a peaceful rally against terrorist attacks and target killings. The Organization revealed that, on this occasion, the future initiatives will be chalked out as the Government has, significantly, failed to provide security and protection to the citizens. They also denounced apathy and lax attitude of the Governor, Chief Minister, his cabinet members, members of Balochistan Provincial Assembly and the Balochistan Executive who have not only turned deaf ear to these atrocities and cruelties but also have never condoled to the aggrieved families of these martyrs, which is against the spirit of constitution and democratic values. They also marked the statement of Provincial Interior Secretary astoundingly baseless who claims that the whole provincial cabinet have visited the family of these martyrs for condolence.
The O. C showed grievous concerns for solidarity and integrity of Pakistan as these terrorist attacks and target killings may compel people to the extent for retaliation providing the government did not take practical steps to crack down against these outlawed terrorist organizations. They, however, made it clear that the rally and gathering of 23rd of Mary, 2010 will be completely peaceful and requested all citizens to take part in this rally to show their unity and fraternity towards other brotherly nations. At the end of the press conference, the Organizing Committee of Shohada-e-Balochistan set out their demands from Federal and Provincial governments which are as under:
- That the terrorists and their masterminds, involved in these target killings be arrested and brought to justice.
- That those terrorists found guilty in terrorist courts be punished without any delay.
- That announcement of monetary compensation for the families of martyrs is insulting. We demand of the government to announce reasonable monetary compensations for families of the martyrs and these announcements be action at an earliest.
- That we demand of the Federal Government to take pragmatic steps for restoration of law and order in Balochistan without any delay.
- That we have complete faith in Shia Sunni Unity and every ill-effort by enemies of Islam will be foiled against this unity. We pronounce that we will firmly protect Islam and Mohammad Peace be upon him and his progeny forever.
- That the families of martyred police officers and police cadets be accommodated in government departments and their children be provided with full fledged facility of free higher education.
- That the government should make sincere efforts to form peace committees at federal, provincial, district and town levels comprising of all schools of thoughts, members of civil society, members of trade unions, politicians, representatives of political parties who could continuously conduct seminars and peace rallies to prevail sense of brotherhood and religious harmony in the country.
- That the defunct terrorist organizations should not be allowed to function discreetly by mere change of names, they should not be allowed to hold rallies, demonstrations and protests and unlawful organizations be dealt with iron hands.
- That the absconded terrorist Usman Saif Ullah Kurd, mysteriously escaping from ATF jail, be apprehended and brought to justice in accordance with the verdict of terrorist court.
- That the government should make honest efforts to ban all literature, books, journals, magazines, newspapers, booklets and pamphlets which fan sectarianism and sow seeds of hatred among people.
- That the routes of Hangu And Parachanar be freed from the unlawful control of terrorists and the Shias’ life and property, living in FATA be provide complete protection and security.
- That serious notice of the recent wave of terrorism and target killings happening in Mastung, the constituency of Chief Minister Balochistan, be taken and those involved in these target killings and terrorist attacks should be arrested and brought to justice.
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