Prime Minister Imran Khan has landed himself in hot waters after telling the Hazara protestors not to blackmail him when they refused to bury those killed in the Mach tragedy until the premier visit’s Quetta.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Special Technology Zones Authority, the prime minister told Hazara appealed to the Hazara community to bury their deceased and called on them to stop “blackmailing the prime minister”.
Read more: 11 coal miners shot dead, 4 injured in Mach.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he will visit the Hazara protestors once they bury those slain in the attack. “I have told them that if they bury the victims today, I will go to Quetta today. However, their demand to bury their relatives only if I visit them is not appropriate and not acceptable,” he said.
“I want to make it clear that we have accepted all the demands but this is not appropriate that you put forth a condition that does not make sense.” added Prime Minister Imran Khan.
These remarks come six days after 11 coal miners from the Shia Hazara community were killed in Mach area of Bolan District in Balochistan on Sunday.
Since the incident, thousands of Hazara protestors have gathered at the western bypass area in Quetta with a set of demands assuring the protection of the community and a visit by the Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Members of the Hazara community are also staging protests in other cities across the country.
Twitter has been flooded with tweets criticizing the Prime Minister over his remarks and accusing the bereaved Hazara protestors of blackmail.
The Hazara protesters should not even be giving you this much respect by asking you to visit them @ImranKhanPTI when you are clearly both powerless & spineless, but to stoop so low as to accuse them of blackmail is truly a new low. #HazaraKoJeenayDo pic.twitter.com/lplu1W6cRQ
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) January 8, 2021
Very strange behaviour from one who is supposed to be a role model of Raisat e Madina
— Syeda Laila Jaffri 🇵🇰 (@Mohtermalaila) January 8, 2021
Pm Imran khan you are losing respect Something needs to be done now. The Hazara people has suffered for far too long💔#ApatheticPMIK pic.twitter.com/I8VyWIH1wQ
I'm Ashamed that I've supported Uh , thought u would be a good one For country, for our people , Indeed Nobody has disappointed Us more than Imran Khan. :) Now Keep your Ego to yourself ! No need to come ,#ApatheticPMIK#PMImranKhan pic.twitter.com/OnQfLs7NVD
— Aoun Mehdi🇵🇰 (@CallMeAounyy) January 8, 2021
Previously, the premier faced criticism for meeting with the makers of Turkish drama Dirilis Ertugrul instead of paying a visit to the Hazara protestors.
Read more: PM Khan meets Dirilis Ertugrul makers but not the Hazara protestors.
