Pakistan Rallies Condemn Quetta Attack Which Killed 84 People

Islamabad, Feb 18, IRNA -- Rallies across Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the deadly bomb attack in the Southwestern city of Quetta yesterday which killed nearly 84 people, almost all Shia Muslims. Shiite leaders warned to approach the United Nations and other international forums if what they called ˈmassacreˈ of the Shia Muslims were not stopped. Allama Abbas Kumaily told a news conference in Karachi that Pakistani Shias will have no option but to raise the issue with the United Nations. Speakers at the protest demonstrations demanded handing over of Quetta to the army to protect Shiite Muslims, who are being targetted by attacks in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan. The mourning day was observed in Baluchistan and southern Sindh province at official level while processions were taken out against the attack in many cities and towns. There was a complete shutter down in Quetta and traffic was also off the roads. Key business centers of the city also remained closed. The strike call was given by Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen‚ Hazara Democratic Party‚ Shia Ulema Council‚ Quetta Yakjehti Council‚ Tehrik-e- Nifaz-e-Fiqah Jafria‚ and Baluchistan Shia Conference. One-day mourning was also was observed in Baluchistan at official level and the National flag flew at Half Mast. Chairman of Quetta Yakjehti Council Abdul Qayoom Changezi said that sit in along with the dead bodies will not be undertaken. Shia Ulema Council has announced to stage a sit-in on Monday at Korangi town of Karachi to express solidarity with the victims of Quetta blast. Baluchistan and Punjab bar association have announced boycott court proceeding Monday to protest against killing. While‚ Majlis-e-Wahadatul Muslimeen has said that the victims of Quetta explosion will not be buried and sit-in will continue till the fulfillment of its demands. The people belonging to Hazara tribe have placed dead bodies of about one hundred and nine martyrs of Quetta killing outside an Imambargha in Quetta and are holding protest. In the capital Islamabad, Shiite leaders staged a sit-in to mourn the deaths of the innocent people in the attack, the second in less than two months. Reports from the northern areas suggest that complete shutter down was observed in some cities and demonstrations condemned the Quetta attack. Meanwhile Hazara Democratic Party leader Azizullah Hazara has said inflicting losses to Hazara community is not in Pakistanˈs interest. Addressing a press conference in Quetta on Sunday he said sectarian violence can only be contained through targeted operation. He said the government should arrest culprits within 48 hours. All major shopping centers in Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas in Sindh province divisions remained closed on Sunday while traffic on the roads is also thin. A number of protest rallies were also taken out to condemn the Quetta incidents. In Lahore‚ the capital of Punjab, people staged a protest demonstration in front of Governor House in Lahore against the tragic incident./end