Quetta sit-in along with protests across country over Machh incident have been called off after successful negotiations between victims’ families and government.
As per details, federal government representatives including Federal Minister Ali Zaidi, National Assembly Speaker Qasim Suri and Shuhada Action Committee reached an agreement at late hours of Friday night.
Expressing his views, Agha Raza – leader of Shuhada action committee, said the sit-ins and protests will now be called off and the deceased will be buried after the consent of victims’ families.
He also urged protesters all across Pakistan to wrap up their demonstrations as victims’ families have agreed to bury their loved ones.
Provisions of the agreement between government and Hazara community are;
- Responsibilities would be fixed on the officers and action would be taken accordingly if found guilty by the JIT.
- Special high-level commission has been formed which includes representatives of Shahuda committee.
- The commission will ensure follow up of investigations on Machh incident which are already underway.
- The commission will also probe into the results of previous cases/investigations on terrorist attacks against Hazara community in the last 22 years.
- Ensure speedy prosecution against individuals accused of carrying out terrorist attacks against Hazara community.
- Victims’ families to receive Rs 1.5 million each.
- Authorities to review security arrangements and devise a comprehensive plan regarding Hazara Shia community, Quetta-Karachi Highway, and other concerned areas across province.
- DG NADRA, Director Passport and Immigration to form special committee to address the hurdles faced by Hazara community in issuance of NIC and passports.
Mach Incident
At least 11 coal miners were killed in the Mach area of Balochistan on Sunday after armed militants kidnapped them and took them to a nearby area before opening fire at close range.
Following the attack, members of the Hazara community in Quetta blocked the Western Bypass and set fire to tires to protest against the killings.
The Hazara community had been protesting for six days in Quetta over the brutal murder of 10 coalminers in Balochistan’s Machh town last Saturday.
In solidarity with the Hazaras, protests and sit-ins were also being held in various towns and cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
