2,500 Hazara families offered asylum
Shias take part in a protest against Saturday’s bomb attack in Quetta February 19, 2013. — Photo by Reuters
ISLAMABAD: The Australian government has offered asylum to over 2,500 Hazara families of Balochistan and urged the United Nations refugee agency in Pakistan to facilitate migration of the community facing sectarian violence, Australian embassy sources said.
Jim O’Callaghan, assistant secretary of the humanitarian branch of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Australia, had held a meeting with UNHCR officials last week and discussed the asylum offer with them, First Secretary Australian High Commission Sherief Andrawos told Dawn on Wednesday.
The UNHCR was informed that Australia was willing to accommodate 2,500 families or 7,000 individuals of the Hazara community, keeping in view attacks on them.
“Yes we have started work on facilitating members of Shia minority and other people prone to sectarian violence for giving them refuge in Australia. The Australian government wants our assistance in this regard,” Maya Ameratunga, deputy representative of United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Pakistan, confirmed to Dawn.
On Saturday, over 100 members of the Shia Hazara community were killed in a bomb attack in Quetta. The dead included 33 registered Afghan refugees, triggering condemnation from the UNHCR that asked authorities to protect the lives of refugees in this hour of sadness.
Official sources told Dawn that the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron) had been informed about Australia’s offer.
The resettlement process would be taken up after the return of UNHCR’s Country Representative Neil Wright to Pakistan from Geneva.
“The resettlement process is a complicated issue as we have to identify the most vulnerable and affected families of Hazara Shia community in Balochistan,” Ms Ameratunga said, adding that they would soon give a list of 2,500 families to the Australian government.
Shias can kill thousands/thousands shias for asylum. They can use Halala provision for asylum. Pervez ex president said ref. Mai Mukhtaran who ever wants visa can make a case of rape.
The Pakistani politicans who are in power are responsible for all these killings.Unfortunately all those killed are not the children of these politicans.
I migrated from Pakistan 40 years ago for economic reasons but now my countrymen are migrating for life saving
the aussies future generations will regret this decesion as they will face the same heart aches & regrets as indians do. Expect partition of Australia as the new immigrants will out breed the whites. Good luck to aussies , they will need it.
they belong to Pakistan…. a bad offer
Austrailian Government denied the statement. It is just a propaganda.
No doubt the Australians are the only nation in the world with a deep sense of humanity. The Hazara community in deed will be an aspect of growth in the economy of Australia. They are very very patriot to the land where they live.
Yes Hazaras, Talibanistan doesn’t deserve you! Go have a life of opportunity, where humans live. The Pakistani animals killed and made jews, christians, hindus, ahmadis flee. The day will come when none but bearded mullahs will roam the streets. Who will they murder then?
if you are smart you wont leave, the main cause of the bombing is to remove hazara from blochistan for political reasons
This story is completely untrue. I don’t know how a reputable news site could publish something like this without checking its validity before publication! The Australian High Commission has issued a denial and has said that the story is incorrect – all of it! It is a cruel hoax perpetrated on a vulnerable people. Have they not suffered enough?
Gold, gas, copper – aussie known for mining – what a strategic move!
This is a fake news… Australia’s Government has rejected such news.
As good as this may be, it is not a solution.
Civilsed nations give politcal assylum to those facing anihilation & extinction.on ethnic, religious and state sponsored eliminations. Most muslim Nations donot protect their sectarian minorities & will turn a blind eye to their sufferings. Iraq, Afghanistan,Gulf States & Pakistan topping the list. For sure some people love to go back to stone era & ignite sectarian issues.Ironically they are gaining majority. Now it is upto Pakistanis to decide themselves what is best for them!!
what about Pakistani Hindu’s?
Shias comprise approx. 20% of Pakistan’s population. Who will give the asylum to rest of them? Infact, its the responsibilty of government to provide security to its citizens. Present govt. has totally failed to fullfill the basic needs of the masses.