Pak Human Rights Commission slams faith-based violence in Balochistan

Lahore [Pakistan], Oct.11 : Pointing out the failure of concerned authorities to stop sectarian killings and attacks in Balochistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the political and religious parties to take effective steps to stop the faith-based violence and bloodletting there.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said: "HRCP has serious concerns over the recent attack in Quetta where four women from the Hazara community were killed in an attack on their bus, and violence in Panjgur where several worship places of the Zikri community were torched." "Such attacks are just the latest evidence of the authorities' failure to arrest the mindless bloodletting by extremist elements." The commission said that the Hazara Shia community has particularly been much affected with such attacks saying, "The extremist violence in Balochistan, especially against the Hazara Shia in recent years, has dispelled any illusions about the perpetrators' moral compass.

But the attack on the bus carrying Hazara women proves that no depth is too low for the killers and those who control them." "Official condemnation of such violence is of little consequence without meaningful action against those who have tried to divide people in the name of religion and sect.

They have also tarnished the tolerant tradition of Balochistan, where humanity transcended religious or sectarian identity," it added.

"The outrage of the affected families and the citizenry is understandable. We hope that, if nothing else, the helplessness and frustration of the people shames the authorities into bringing the bloodletting and insanity in the province to a halt." It further urged the political and religious parties to take up the cause and exert and sustain pressure on the government to do its duty to protect the lives and religious freedoms of the people.

Source: ANI