اردو
  • Quetta blast: Hazara community continues sit-in for third day

    Hazara community continues sit-in for third day File photo Hazara community continues sit-in for third day

    Members of the Hazara community continued their sit-in for a third day on Sunday at Quetta's Western Bypass to demand better security measures following a blast in Hazarganji market.

    At least 20 people were killed and scores injured in a blast believed to be targeting members of the Hazara community in Quetta's Hazarganji market on Friday morning.

    Women and children are among those who have been staging a sit-in since shortly after the blast.

    The protesters demand that the government implements an effective security plan and ensure protection of the Hazara community.

    Eight Hazara, an FC official and two children were among the dead. At least 48 others, including three security personnel, were injured in the blast, police and provincial authorities said.

    All 20 killed in the attack were buried on Sunday.

    Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan visited the families of the victims on Saturday to express his condolences.

    Speaking to the families of deceased, the chief minister assured them that provincial government stood with families of victims on difficult time.

    He added the provincial government is taking responsible steps to root out terrorist activities from the province in order to ensure the protection of citizens and their properties at any cost in the respective areas.

    He also requested the people of Hazara community to end their sit-in at the Western Bypass area.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the ‘cowardly’ attack in Quetta and extended his condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the government of Pakistan.

    “The United Nations expresses its full solidarity with the Government of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” Guterres said.

    In a statement, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan said, Saudi Arabia stood with Pakistan against all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism.

    "Saudi Arabia also shares grief with the government and people of Pakistan and prays for early recovery of those injured in the incident," the statement said.