Karachi(Cliff News)Members of various civil society organisations gathered together outside the Karachi Press Club to hold a ‘Peace Walk’ against the acts of terrorism in Quetta. Those presented raised slogans and held placards outside the KPC before marching to the Supreme Court Registry, where they observed a candle light vigil.Organisations which participated included the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Women Action Forum, Democratic Students Federation, PILER, Awami Workers Party, National Party(Sindh), Civil Progressive Alliance for Pakistan, lawyers and members of the civil society. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Asad Iqbal Butt of the HRCP stated that the Quetta was a consequence of the double standards of the state referring to its policies such as those of ‘good and bad Taliban’. Butt was also of the view that the blame lies on the state especially the security apparatus. Butt also remarked that the involvement of ‘a foreign hand’ is no excuse and that the security failures must be accepted.
Meanwhile Karamat Ali, Executive Director PILER, informed The Express Tribune that the ‘Peace Walk’ was being held against the inhumane act of terrorism in Quetta and it aimed to urge the state authorities to take immediate action against those responsible. Ali requested all members of the civil society to raise their voice against the injustices. He demanded immediate action to be taken across the board without any discrimination. Ali stated that this was a major security lapse, stating the blame rested on the provincial, federal governements and the security apparatus.”They were very quick to reach conclusions and blame; the authorities must now also catch the culprits with the same speed” remarked Nagma Iqtidar, President of DSF Karachi while speaking to The Express Tribune. She questioned as to how such accidents could take place even when Balochistan had been heavily militarized by the security establishment.
Kazim Moosvi of CPAP told The Express Tribune, that the civil society had a crucial role to play in combating this menace of terrorism. Moosvi demanded that proper security must be provided especially to journalists and lawyers who were more often than not made the target of such acts of terror.