HRCP calls for effective steps to end faith-based violence in Balochistan

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the authorities and the political and religious parties to take effective steps to the stop faith-based violence and bloodletting in Balochistan. 

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission said: “HRCP has serious concerns over the recent attack in Quetta where four women from the Hazara community were killed in an attack on their bus, and violence in Panjgur where several worship places of the Zikri community were torched. 

“Such attacks are just the latest evidence of the authorities’ failure to arrest the mindless bloodletting by extremist elements.” 

It further said: “Official condemnation of such violence is of little consequence without meaningful action against those who have tried to divide people in the name of religion and sect. They have also tarnished the tolerant tradition of Balochistan, where humanity transcended religious or sectarian identity. 

“The extremist violence in Balochistan, especially against the Hazara Shia in recent years, has dispelled any illusions about the perpetrators’ moral compass. But the attack on the bus carrying Hazara women proves that no depth is too low for the killers and those who control them.” 

The commission said: “The outrage of the affected families and the citizenry is understandable. We hope that, if nothing else, the helplessness and frustration of the people shames the authorities into bringing the bloodletting and insanity in the province to a halt. “HRCP also urges the political and religious parties to take up the cause of the long-suffering segments of the populace by unambiguously condemning this brutality and playing their role in promoting sectarian and religious harmony. They must also exert and sustain pressure on the government to do its duty to protect the lives and religious freedoms of the people.”