Official says request was sent two weeks ago but there has been no response from Centre so far
The government of Balochistan has formally requested Islamabad to launch ferry service for Shia pilgrims from Karachi to Iranian port Chah Bahar.
A well-placed source in Balochistan Home and Tribal Affairs Department, who requested anonymity, said on Wednesday that a formal request was sent to the federal government two weeks ago in this regard.
The officer stated that even after the elapse of 15 days, the federal government has not responded to the request of Balochistan government. “We are yet to receive an answer from Islamabad,” he said.
The Balochistan government has made this request in the aftermath of Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch’s announcement in this regard.
The CM had made this announcement soon after a deadly suicide attack in Mastung district of the province that killed at least 22 people and injured dozens when a powerful explosion ripped through a bus carrying Shia pilgrims to Iran on January 21.
“Securing 700km lengthy route is a difficult job,” the officer of the Home Department said.
In view of increasing attacks on pilgrims’ buses, the government has already launched flight service from Karachi, Quetta and Lahore to Iran for Shia pilgrims.
Pilgrims’ buses have been repeatedly attacked in Mastung, Quetta and other towns located on Taftan Highway. The Balochistan government has tightened security on Taftan route and deployed levies and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel to protect pilgrims’ buses.However, despite strict security, several suicide attacks were carried out on Quetta to Taftan national highway.
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