Christians seek end to target killing in Waziristan

MIRANSHAH: The Christians on Monday appealed to the high-ups to take practical steps for the protection and security of members of the community.

The demand was made after the members of Christian community staged a protest against the murder of 39-year-old Ashfaq Masih, who had been shot dead by unidentified motorcyclists on Mir Ali Road the previous day.

Christian community representative, Khalid Iqbal, said that their lives and properties were not safe and were being targeted to force them to leave North Waziristan.He said that no member of their community would go on duty from tomorrow to protest the unending incidents of target killing of Christians in the tribal district.

Khalid Iqbal alleged that Christians were being threatened with dire consequences if they did not leave North Waziristan but even then no measures had been taken to provide security to them.

He said that a year ago, unidentified gunmen had killed the younger brother of Ashfaq Masih in Eidak Bazar in Mir Ali and now he was himself targeted.“For what crime are bing targeted mercilessly everyday. We are here to serve you but still we are killed one after the other,” Khalid Iqbal said, adding that who would provide justice to the aged mother and wife and small children of Ashfaq Masih.

It may be mentioned that the mother of Ashfaq Masih had also come for the protest and was demanding justice for her family.Khalid Iqbal appealed to the government to have mercy on them and take practical steps for the protection of their community members

Later, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Imran visited the protest camp and held talks with leaders of protesters. He assured the protesters that the perpetrators would be taken task soon.Two persons, including Ashfaq Masih, and Jalil Banosi, were killed in what the police claimed targeted attacks on Sunday last.