ONCE a city of peace and cultural diversity where people from all all over Pakistan used to live happily, Khuzdar now resembles a war zone.

It has not been reported by the media that in the last two months Khuzdar has been shut for more than 40 days and people are fleeing to different parts of Balochistan and Pakistan.

The local people blame the Frontier Corps and others for deteriorating law and order situation in the city. They claim that not a single day passes when somebody is not killed or a mutilated or bullet - riddled body is not found in Khuzdar.

On Nov 2 a total of 18 people were killed in the firing incident in the city where the police and other law - enforcement agencies seem helpless and no arrests have been made so far.

Khuzdar, being one of the biggest cities of Balochistan, is sinking into darkness. The people are hopeless as they feel the next elections could not change anything. Besides, due to a bad law and order situation for the past two months no political party dares to go there and hold any rally or run election campaign in the region.

It is also not safe for journalists. Since 2007, more than five journalists have lost their lives, and Khuzdar is among top 10 dangerous places for reporting. I urge the champions of human rights, judiciary and all other stakeholders to visit our city and work out the issues with dialogue. Khuzdar has seen enough bloodshed.

SIKANDER BIZENJOSelangor, Malaysia

Raisani’s role

THIS refers to the killing of 18 people in a blaze which erupted after a passenger van was attacked by gunmen in Khuzdar at a petrol station (Nov 2).

Every other day we hear of killings of innocent citizens in Balochistan which poses a serious challenge to the government. The Supreme Court took a bold step by declaring the provincial government incompetent.

Ironically, Chief Minister Aslam Raisani has been sticking to his post along with his 55 ministers.

I request the Chief Justice to take sou motu notice of the Khuzdar massacre on humanitarian grounds.

SAYED BADSHAHZhob