Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan stipulates for the Equality of Citizens and it is mentioned in clear terms “all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law”. Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan stipulates for the security of a person and it is inscribed that “no person shall be deprived of life or liberty in accordance with law”. Article 37 of the Constitution of Pakistan stipulates the Promotion of Social Justice and is mentioned to “ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice”. Are these provisions being carried out or fulfilled? Obviously not.
This is apropos the cold-killing of 11 miners of the Hazara-Shia community. No doubt, the miserable plight of the families of the slain is self-evident and has borne the brunt of extreme distress and did not receive due diligence which they deserved in the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s categorization of the demand for a visit by the families as “Blackmailing” but did the job.
Who are Hazaras historically? As mentioned in the National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan report on the agonies of ethnic-Hazaras, their roots can be found in Mongols and they consider themselves the offshoots of Changez Khan and his forces that came to Afghanistan with his troops. Their facial features also differ from that of other people and many think they are from Gilgit, Skardu, or Tibet because their facial features resemble them. Historical evidence reveals that they migrated to Balochistan about 150 years ago and settled there and much of the migration is believed to have happened in the 1880s.
In Balochistan, the majority of the Hazaras are inhabited in Quetta. Their services in the different spheres of Pakistan are also beyond doubt whether political or social. But what ignited their migration towards Pakistan? Many unpleasant occurrences led to their migration but one such event is the persecution of Hazaras by the Taliban which resulted in spillover effect on the law and order situation and sectarian harmony of Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular.
Discrimination was already prevailing in the country but intolerance and extrajudicial killings have multiplied manifold which is worrisome. One such example is that by and large, the Hazara community members are even disavowed CNIC registration resulting in not able to provide required information prior date. As per the survey findings, 25% of respondents in Quetta said, petrification has caused families to stay inside because of safety and security concerns.
Such incidents at the very outset of the year 2021 are agonizing. It compels me to think that this year will be no exception as ethnic cleansing continues to happen. It is undermining the paramountcy of the Constitution of Pakistan as provisions are being hijacked and infringed.
Social and political ostracism based on ethnicity and religion will ultimately jeopardize and drag the country backward.
The question arises here that will the visit of the Prime Minister means that the cold and systematic indiscriminate killings of innocents on an ethnic-basis will end? The visit will do no good except only serve the purpose of a formality.
My request to the people of such sects is not to demand PM’s visits as it will cultivate nothing rather they should protest for proper legislation and implementation of said provisions of the Constitution for their safety from such indiscriminate killings. Prime Minister on the other end should set a precedent of being an idyllic prototype of social justice by providing timely justice.