HDP gives government 48-hour deadline

Published
0

Relatives gather at a hospital morgue to identify the remains of their loved ones killed in a bomb blast in Quetta on February 16, 2013.—AFP Photo

QUETTA: The Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) has given the government a 48-hour deadline to arrest those responsible for Saturday's suicide blast in Quetta, DawnNews reported.

HDP leader Azizullah Hazara, accompanied by members of his community, warned that if those behind Saturday's blasts in Quetta were not arrested then protests would be held daily outside the Balochistan High Court.

He further said that a targeted operation could be conducted to eliminate those targeting the Hazara community.

A suicide-bomb on Saturday targeting Shia Hazaras in a busy market in Pakistan’s restive southwest killed 79 people including women and children and wounded 180 others.

A spokesman for the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to media reports.

A similar attack had left at least 93 people dead and 121 other wounded on January 10 when two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a crowded snooker club in an area of Quetta city dominated by the Shia community.

Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf late last month sacked the provincial government in Balochistan after meeting Shia Muslim protesters demanding protection.

Opinion

Editorial

Balochistan’s wounds
Updated 16 Aug, 2026

Balochistan’s wounds

The state has alienated even those political elements in Baloch society that have been peacefully pursuing their rights.
Tax scheme
16 Aug, 2026

Tax scheme

THE Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry has formally endorsed new measures introduced to ease...
In choppy waters
16 Aug, 2026

In choppy waters

MORE than three months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a multinational crew, including 11...
Governance test
Updated 15 Aug, 2026

Governance test

EVER since the interior minister called for smaller administrative units to improve governance, the question of new...
Sailors’ killing
15 Aug, 2026

Sailors’ killing

THE killing of at least three Pakistani sailors in an apparent Houthi attack targeting a vessel in the waters of Bab...
Lethal celebrations
15 Aug, 2026

Lethal celebrations

IT is a familiar tale. Every year, occasions for national celebration turn into fear and mourning just because some...