Tragedy has struck Pakistan’s beleaguered Hazara Shia community again. 20 people have been killed and 48 injured after an IED was detonated in a vegetable market frequented by Hazaras. The authorities have confirmed that the attack was specifically aimed at targeting the ethnic minority group.
As always, condemnations and condolences have poured in following the attack. But the federal government, Balochistan government and security officials must explain why the people of Balochistan continue to suffer even as the country’s other provinces have become relatively peaceful. The state’s inability to bring an end to attacks targeting Hazaras is particularly shameful. Over 500 members of the community have been lost in terror attacks and over 600 have been injured.
While the state does give the community security in the form of police and military presence in Hazara neighbourhoods in Quetta, this is not a solution to the problem. Rather, it has only further ghettoized the community.
The situation is so bad that for years, Hazaras have feared leaving their homes, only mustering the courage to leave when absolutely necessary. Their distinctive ethnic features makes them stand out in Pakistan and because of this, it has become difficult for then to attend educational institutions, visit hospitals or even earn a living. According to community elders, 70,000 Hazaras have left Quetta.
Pakistani security forces have made great gains in the fight against terrorism since 2014. However, the state’s inability to bring an end to what can only be rightfully termed an anti-Hazara genocide is a serious constitutional failure.
The only way forward is for the government to crack down on all sources of anti-Shia and anti-Hazara hate speech. International cooperation is needed between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan so that action can be taken against all terrorist forces involved in this genocide. *