Members of the Ethnic Hazara Shia community mourn the killing of their relatives at a hospital in Quetta on April 9, 2012, following a targeted attack by gunmen.—AFP Photo

QUETTA: Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi on Friday said he feared a civil war would erupt in the province if target killings continued unabated, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to provincial ministers and members of the Hazara Democratic Party, the governor questioned the strength of the cabinet, saying there was no need for a cabinet this large if the provincial government was unable to curtail the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

“Time and again, more and more people are becoming victims of target killings, and not a single suspect has been taken into custody as yet. This is a proof of our government and law enforcement authorities’ failure,” said Magsi.

“If the military was summoned to restore the law and order in the province, then it will be problematic for the civilian government and the administration,” he added.

Magsi ordered the Provincial Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai to immediately take notice of target killings and initiate a crackdown on the purported miscreants.