Although oppressors and oppressed have always existed in the history of mankind and there might as well be countless events of repression and subjugation in recorded history, but ours is altogether a different story. The history of persecution and organized crimes against the peaceful and innocent Hazara community is indeed a question mark on the writ of the state. Hazara nation has been an ancient nation of Afghanistan which was forced out of Afghanistan during the oppressive regime of Abdul Rehman (1880-1901).
Unfortunately, July 6, 1985 has been a dark day in for the Hazaras of Quetta, Balochistan. At that time, the country was ruled by General Ziaul Haq (a military dictator). There was a strict ban on all kinds of political gatherings in the country. It is said that during those days the Iranian intelligence received such information that the United States plans to train Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and use them to subvert Iran and that Iran was interested in using the power of Pakistani Shias to prevent such a move. The incident of July 6, 1985 in Quetta took place in this background and that the purpose of which was to send a message to Pakistan that any conspiracy against Iran on the behest of America would not be tolerated.
In the 1980s, the Shiite protests in Islamabad against General Ziaul Haq’s Zakat and Ushr laws and later the bloody incident in Quetta were also interpreted by the United States as attempts to extend Iran’s Islamic revolution to Pakistan and the Middle East.
Before July 6, 1985, the Hazara nation enjoyed a prominent position in the government chambers. Similarly, the Hazara nation had a prominent position in the political field as well. The best example of which was the election of Agha Syed Hussain as a senator in the NAP (National Awami Party) government. But since this procession was viewed with suspicion that it was a neighboring country’s backed procession.
Therefore, from that day till today, the state’s attitude towards the Hazara people has completely changed. Promotions of Hazara officers in Pakistan Army and Civil Beauracy were banned. Recruitment of the Hazara nation in the army and in the civil service was stopped and later on it was a bit relaxed. The Hazara nation came to be considered as a nation with a soft spot for Iran. If this is said with reference to a very limited section of the Hazara nation, it may be true to some extent but the majority of the Hazara people have been liberal and progressive.
Along with this, the rights of Hazara people began to be violated in every sphere of life. The patronage of the state remained negligible with respect to the Hazara nation. We were discouraged in every walk of life, be it business, education, sports or any other field. As a result, the Hazara nation was confined to a limited area of Quetta.
The worst target killing of the Hazara nation was done in the last two decades, in which women and innocent children were also targeted. Hardly a day passed when a Hazara was not targeted in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.
The terrorists targeted students, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers and everyone who they recognized as member of Hazara community.
Although, not all the Hazaras were involved in 6th July, 1985 incident, but a limited number of people made the position of the Hazaras doubtful in the eyes of the state. 6 July 1985 was a planned conspiracy against the Hazara nation, in which the role of the neighboring country cannot be ignored.
What can be more unfortunate than the fact that the state has not felt the need to investigate the causes of that incident and the perpetrators associated with it.
Pakistan is loved, respected revered from the core of heart by Hazara nation as she has not only given us shelter at the time of migration from Afghanistan but also gave us the status of first class citizens. Even we see General Musa leading Pakistan army during 1965 Indo-Pak war which explains how confident the state was about the loyalty of Hazara community with their country. It is therefore our national and collective responsibility to learn from the bitter events of past and plan for the future. This was the event of July 6, 1985, which unfortunately caused two-thirds of our massacre. When and if any question of priority comes in front of Hazaras between Pakistan and any other country, Hazaras must prefer siding with Pakistan.