The Parachinar blasts have been the deadliest in a series of militant attacks in Pakistan. The twin explosions of Friday last week, have caused an increase in the death toll to at least 85 with a large cohort injured.
At present, it also seems that there is growing cooperation amongst extremists, as two banned groups have come forward to claim the deadly assault, with one describing the incident as a suicide attack.
The tragedy has resulted in a series of protests throughout the country and places abroad with a Pakistani presence. The area has also seen an influx of activists who are currently documenting the, thus far, week long protest in attempt to voice the injustice that the inhabitants and those affected have felt.
We have been a constant target of the Taliban but the government has always failed us
Muzamil Hussain, an activist from Parachinar told AFP Friday. The activist elaborated further.
I don’t understand how can someone drive a bomb-laden vehicle through all the checkposts of the military and other paramilitary troops and reach here, it simply isn’t logical, and this is what we are protesting against
Social media activism came to the fore in light of a self-imposed ban on coverage of the Parachinar protests by the country’s electronic media.
Dharna in #Parachinar has doubled in size today. Hardly any space to walk through. People sitting under the sun for justice pic.twitter.com/WtlNIEQIAC
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 29, 2017
Activists physically present at the site legitimate their presence by blaming the government of not playing its part in maintaining the safety of the region and also attribute blame to the national media of denying the protests their due coverage.
Children of #Parachinar appeal to the National Media. Do your job. Report the News! #ParachinarAao pic.twitter.com/Ct3V4qjgmP
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 29, 2017
A message for Imran Khan – from Parachinar pic.twitter.com/YftyJ3Mjee
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) June 29, 2017
Day 5 and 20k Pakistanis demand justice on roads. PM Sharif waiting for his visa to #Parachinar#Justice4Parachinar pic.twitter.com/j18fzQOTDc
— Gul Zehra (@SyedaGulZehra) June 27, 2017
Moreover, the inhabitants’ Eid also looked very different from their fellow countrymen. One characterised by sorrow, loss and perhaps hope that someone may answer their call.
1st day of #Eid in #Parachinar. Thousands spend their eid in protest waiting for Govt, Media & the rest of country to show solidarity. pic.twitter.com/KlsW9AoOEd
— Syed Haider Hussain (@iamHaiderRizvi) June 27, 2017
The protests have not been limited to the region rather they transcend national boundaries and have erupted abroad wherein Pakistanis are playing their part in maintaining their Solidarity with the victims of the Parachinar community and their goals.
#Germany protesting against #Parachinar Massacre.
#Justice4Parachinar pic.twitter.com/ses6qrbRdc
— Gul Zehra (@SyedaGulZehra) June 26, 2017
#London roars #Justice4Parachinar
Media wouldnt give air time to #Parachinar but can it silence blood of martyres ? pic.twitter.com/lJK3ZGKiNf— Gul Zehra (@SyedaGulZehra) June 26, 2017
Protest infront of PK High Commission Canberra Australia against recent blast in Parachinar Protesters Chnting GoNawazGo#Justice4Parachinar pic.twitter.com/xrmGJsY1YS
— Emran Brohi (@ibrohi31) June 26, 2017
Though the government has attempted, now, to compensate, by giving “Rs 1 Million to heirs of each victim and Rs 500,000 to each injured in the twin blasts”, the people have denied this attempt and instead the Parachinar Dharna Committee have put forward their demands this morning.
1st draft of demands announced by #Parachinar Dharna Committee. Suggestions from participants may also be added. CoAS & IM expected today pic.twitter.com/yfFKB1KPZv
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 30, 2017
Even Satire/Parody pages choose not to shy away from discussing their concerns for the people.
People tweeting from their toilets get more attention from government and ISPR than people protesting outside for days. #Parachinar
— Ranting Pakistani (@RantsPakistani) June 29, 2017
Even All India National Congress was treating Muslims better than how your political parties are treating Shia community. #Parachinar
— JinnahTweets (@jinnah_tweets) June 29, 2017
In light of all this, it is extremely saddening to see the protests maligned as “unpatriotic” by their critics and it is hoped that the justice that the protesters seek is granted to them.
