Bilawal meets Hazara representatives, reassures PPP support

QUETTA: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met the bereaved families of martyrs from the Hazara community, victims of an unending target-killings by terrorists in Quetta.

According to a statement issued by the PPP, Bilawal Zardari offered fateha, sympathised with the families of victims and assured them support and solidarity from his party.

At least eight Hazara people have been killed in a fresh spate of violence in Quetta in recent weeks.

The killings prompted the community to go on hunger strike outside Quetta press club and Balochistan Assembly.

The four-day sit-in was called off on Tuesday after Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa flew to Balochistan’s capital and met with the sit-in leaders.

General Bajwa said that army was concerned with every Hazara life lost in terrorist attacks.

Chief of Army Staff said that while nothing can compensate the loss of dear ones, he assured Hazara community brethren that those who have targeted them shall suffer twice as much.

“State is responsible for security of its citizens and all state institutions are concerned for this. Each and every casualty including from Hazara community is of concern to us and our brave security forces are performing their best and willingly offering monumental sacrifices to bring lasting peace to the country,” he said.

“During 2018 alone, so far 37 Security Forces personnel have laid their lives in Quetta. Through a unified national effort, we have turned the tide of terrorism, however a lot is still being done against inimical designs to reverse the gains by exploiting various fault lines.”