Pakistan: More Shia Hazaras murdered

The genocide being suffered by the Shia Hazaras in Balochistan seems to have no end in sight. On Friday, six innocent Shia Hazara coalminers working in the Macch area of Bolan district, were mercilessly gunned down for one reason only — their faith. No group or individual has come forward to claim responsibility but the finger of suspicion points towards the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), an extremist organisation that has been striking against the country’s Shia community, particularly the Hazaras. Coalminers in Macch have been attacked before for the same reason but this time the assailants were successful in inflicting fatalities. This is because the law enforcement agencies have not been able to protect the Shia Hazara community completely, despite improvement in their security in Quetta. One need not dig too far back to realise the extent of the butchery against the Hazaras. In January and February this year, the Hazara community in Quetta were targeted and 150 were killed in bomb attacks. The killings were so vicious that the frustrated community laid their dead out on the streets, demanding justice. However, this justice they wish to see seems to be little more than a wish so far. Hazaras are regularly being killed in Balochistan, with even Shia pilgrims travelling from and to Iran not being spared. There is a ruthless campaign against the Shias taking place right before our eyes but it seems as though we would prefer to keep them closed. To his credit, the new Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, has taken some steps to make his capital city safe for the Shia community. One can see that no major attack on the Hazara community has taken place since his government took over because of the measures he has taken. However, the CM needs to be reminded that the atrocities perpetrated against the Hazaras are not limited to Quetta. Due to the tragic nature of sectarian crime, groups like the LeJ will leave no stone unturned in hunting down their prey. Their resolve can be seen when Shias are killed in all parts of the province just like they were in Macch on Friday. It is with a heavy heart that it must be admitted that this may not be the last attack on the Hazara community. The federal government must work with the provincial authorities in Balochistan to root out this evil before more such attacks occur.