ICCI condemns terrorist attack in Hazarganji Market, Quetta

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Hazarganji market, Quetta in which over 20 persons of Hazara community lost their lives and many got injured. It called upon the government to immediately arrest the culprits and give them exemplary punishment.

Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, ICCI in a statement here on Friday expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said that business community of the entire country was standing with them in this hour of utmost grief.

He said due to CPEC and Gwadar, Baluchistan has assumed greater importance in the economic development of Pakistan, but added that such acts of terrorism would discourage investment and business activities in the province.

He urged that the federal and provincial governments should put their heads together to arrange comprehensive security for Hazara community.

He stressed that government should enhance the coverage of CCTV cameras in Hazarganji market and in all commercial areas of Baluchistan.

He said that the economy of Pakistan was passing through a difficult time and the country needed to attract maximum investment for which overcoming terrorism in Baluchistan and the entire country was essential requirement.

Rafat Farid Senior Vice President and Iftikhar Anwar Sethi Viice President, ICCI also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called upon the provincial government to ensure complete security for the Hazara community.

They said as per report of National Commission for Human Rights, 509 persons of Hazara community lost their lives in various incidents of terrorism in Quetta from January 2012 to December 2017, which showed that this community was highly vulnerable to acts of terrorism.

They urged that provincial government should utilize all possible resources for enhancing the security for Hazara community and for all citizens so that business activities could grow smoothly in the province that would help in reducing unemployment and poverty as well.