Deadlock Persists as Ziarat Victims’ Families Continue Fifth Day of Protest in Quetta
QUETTA: The sit-in by the families of police personnel killed in the Ziarat terrorist attack continued for a fifth consecutive day at Coal Phatak on Sariab Road in Quetta, with negotiations between the government and the protesters remaining inconclusive late into the night.
The protest, in which the victims’ families have remained alongside the bodies of the deceased officers, has drawn participation from political and social leaders as well as a large number of local residents.
The protesters are demanding the establishment of an independent and empowered judicial commission to investigate the Ziarat attack, the elimination of militant elements from Ziarat, Harnai, Hanna Urak, Shaban, Zarghoon, and surrounding areas, and the restoration of the Levies Force, among other demands.
Late on Monday, another round of talks was held between the government delegation and representatives of the victims’ families and the protest committee.
The government delegation included Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau, Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar, Bilal Kakar, and Quetta Commissioner Shahzaib Khan.
Representing the All Parties Conference and the protesters were Rahim Ziaratwal, Nasrullah Zerey, Asghar Khan Achakzai, Agha Hassan Baloch, Daud Shah, and relatives of the slain police personnel.
During the meeting, the government delegation briefed the protesters on the measures taken by the provincial administration in response to the attack. However, despite prolonged discussions, no final agreement had been reached, and negotiations were still underway at the time of reporting.
