PPP MNA Syed Nasir Shah said on Friday that he would not end his boycott of the National Assembly session unless he was given a solid roadmap to end sectarian killings in Quetta and return peace to the city whereas Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government was taking solid steps to ensure peace in Balochistan.
Nasir Shah after his boycott of the current session of the National Assembly has been sitting outside the Parliament House in protest against sectarian killings of Hazaras, a largely Shia community, in Quetta. He has demanded the dissolution of the provincial government in Balochistan which, in his view, has failed control law and order situation in the province.
The Interior Minister met Nasir Shah and urged him to end his boycott as the government was taking solid steps to control deteriorating situation in the province of Balochistan. Talking to the media, Malik said that anti-Pakistan elements were attacking the Shia community as a part of larger conspiracy. He said they will be dealt with an iron hand.
He said he will visit Quetta next week on the direction of President Asif Ali Zardari. Malik said action against all terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, will be taken and the Balochisan Chief Minister and Chief Secretary had been directed in this regard.
He added the federal government can only intervene in provincial matters after 18th Amendment on the invitation of provinces.
He said security in Shia area had been reinforced and the Zaireen going to Iran are being escorted by security officials, leading to a decrease in targeted killings in Balochistan.
Responding to a question about imposing Governor Rule in Balochistan, Malik said while he respected the sentiments of the people of Balochistan, the government will take steps according to the Constitution. Meanwhile, PPP MNA Syed Nasir Shah talking to Pakistan Today said Rehman Malik wanted him to end his boycott of the National Assembly session but he would do so only if he was given a clear and solid roadmap to end sectarian killings in Quetta.
“Rehman Malik told me that he is going to Quetta and the situation will improve soon. He wanted me to end the boycott. I cannot do so unless a clear and solid roadmap is not made to end sectarian killings. Can Rehman Malik going to Quetta bring peace?,” Nasir asked.
