-Directs Interior Ministry not to create any hurdle in the PDM’s protest
-Warns strict action against law violators
-Sheikh Rashid briefs Premier on Hazara community’s sit-in
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has allowed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed the Interior Ministry to not be of any hindrance. The PM gave this directive during a meeting with Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday. The political situation in the country was also discussed during the meeting.
According to reports, the Prime Minister, after consulting with the Interior Minister, allowed PDM’s planned protest in front of the Election Commission. He said that the opposition may exercise its right to protest, however, no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. It is pertinent to mention here that the opposition alliance had made an announcement to protest outside ECP office on January 19. Sheikh Rashid also presented a report on his visit to Quetta and updated the PM about his meeting with the protesting Hazara community in Quetta.
On the directives of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Rashid had visited Quetta and held meeting with the representatives of Hazara community regarding the incident of killing of miners in Mach area of Balochistan.
Members of the Shia Hazara community who have blockaded a highway in Quetta with the bodies of slain coal miners said on Tuesday they will not withdraw until Prime Minister Imran Khan meets them and the killers are brought to justice.
Armed attackers slit the throats of 11 miners in a residential compound near a mine site in Balochistan’s Mach coal field area on Sunday, filming the entire incident and later posting it online. The gruesome attack was claimed by the militant Islamic State group. Thousands of Hazaras have since staged a protest, arranging the coffins in the western bypass area in Quetta.
