CM Bugti promises compensation, employment and education for victims’ families; all kidnapped people recovered
QUETA:
The five-day sit-in protest on Quetta Airport Road against the Hanna Urak tragedy was peacefully called off on Friday following successful negotiations between Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and the protest committee.
The participants immediately removed their tents and protest camps after the agreement. The airport road, which had been blocked for five days, was completely reopened to all traffic.
CM Bugti held detailed talks with the protest committee, heirs of martyrs and tribal elders. The meeting was also attended by Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Quetta Divisional Commissioner Shahzeb Kakar, Special Assistant to CM on Information Shahid Rind and other senior officials.
Rind stated that negotiations with the protest committee were successful. The heirs expressed confidence in CM Bugti’s assurances and announced an end to the protest.
Speaking on the occasion, Bugti said that he had been in constant touch with the protest committee since day one and had made all possible efforts for a peaceful, dignified and lasting resolution of the issue.
“I have a long-standing relationship of respect and trust with the affected families and their elders, which will also continue in the future,” he said.
He assured that if any lapse or error occurred at any level on the part of the government, it would be recognized and corrected. Affected families will receive all possible relief and support.
The prime minister revealed that important decisions were taken in the Balochistan Apex Committee meeting in the presence of the prime minister and the chief of defense forces, adding that full implementation of those decisions would be ensured.
He announced that the heirs of the martyrs of the Hann Urak incident would be given financial compensation, government jobs would be provided to the family members and the Balochistan government would bear all the educational expenses of the martyrs’ children.
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Bugti reiterated the government’s determination to take all possible measures to protect the lives and property of the people and establish lasting peace in the province.
It may be recalled that on July 5, unidentified gunmen attacked Hann Urak area in Kili Babri on the outskirts of Quetta, killing five civilians, injuring eight others and kidnapping 11 people.
In protest, the heirs and locals blocked the airport road for five days, severely affecting city traffic. Meanwhile, provincial Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau confirmed that the 11 abductees were safely recovered. Ten were released Thursday night, while one was released a day earlier. They were all brought safely to Quetta.
The Health Minister also confirmed the recovery and said it was possible due to the joint efforts of the Balochistan government, law enforcement agencies and tribal elders.
