Prime Minister Imran Khan reached Quetta on Saturday where he met with the families of the slain coal miners – killed on Jan 3 in a brutal attack in Mach – and members of the Hazara community.
Speaking to the families after offering his condolences, the prime minister said that he had visited the community in the past and was well aware of the issues being faced by them.
“I know that people were afraid of going to your imambargahs when the ‘war on terror’ was at its peak in Pakistan. I came to meet you then as well.”
He said that since March 2020, the intelligence agencies had informed the government that India wanted to spread anarchy in the country by killing Shia and Sunni aalims.
“I informed the federal cabinet and gave statements […] I laud the Inter-Services Intelligence because they managed to preempt three or four plots to kill Shia or Sunni ulema.
“So I have no doubt in my mind that what happened is part of a bigger game.”
He said that when the incident first happened, he sent Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid to meet with the bereaved to assure them that the government will stand with them and will provide assistance.
“At the same time, I also had to send a message to the community that we will pursue those responsible for the incident,” he said, adding that he was in constant contact with the intelligence agencies.
He said that there were between 35 to 40 people spreading chaos in the country. “We have a whole programme prepared [in this regard] and a security forces cell is being made which will look at providing you with protection and pursuing those responsible.”
Commenting on his controversial remarks urging the community to avoid “blackmailing” the prime minister, he said: “You need to understand that things are different for a prime minister. When I was a regular citizen I came to visit you. No one can guarantee that an incident doesn’t happen in the country.
“So that’s why I sent messages to bury the deceased and said that I will come to offer my condolences. But when you make it a condition, it will set a precedent.
“I want to make it clear though, that I was full informed [of the situation] and was in touch with my federal ministers and security agencies. I was following this and looking at all developments,” he said, adding that the entire country was also witness to the pain and suffering of the community.
He assured the community that the government and the entire nation stands with them. “This is what I came here to say. These are our kids and our sisters.”
He added that his mission was to not just unite the people of the country but also those across the Muslim world.
The PM’s visit came hours after the miners were laid to rest at the city’s Hazara Town cemetery in what was the culmination of a week-long protest during which the Hazara community and families of the labourers had refused to move ahead with the burials unless visited by the PM himself.
According to Agha Raza, spokesman for the Shuhada Action Committee representing the Hazara community, the prime minister reassured the community that there will be swift implementation of the demands they had put forth.
Raza said each victim’s family had been paid Rs2.5 million by the government as compensation, while the prime minister reiterated that the Hazara community will not face similar incidents in the future.
Raza said the PM’s suggestion that the Hazara community was “blackmailing” him was also brought up in the meeting, saying that participants “registered their protest” over the PM’s words but the PM “clarified” that his words were directed towards the PDM (opposition alliance).
