Quetta Airport Road protest over Hanna Urak killings ends after talks

QUETTA: A five-day sit-in on Airport Road staged over the Hanna Urak tragedy ended peacefully after negotiations between Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and a protest committee, according to officials. Protesters removed their tents and camps after the agreement, and the road, which had remained blocked for five days, was reopened for all traffic.

The talks were held with the protest committee, heirs of those killed and tribal elders. The meeting was attended by Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Quetta Division Commissioner Shahzeb Kakar, Special Assistant to the chief minister on information Shahid Rind and other senior officials.

Shahid Rind said the negotiations had succeeded, while the heirs said they were ending the protest after expressing confidence in the chief minister’s assurances. Bugti said he had remained in contact with the protest committee since the first day and had made efforts to reach what he described as a peaceful, dignified and durable settlement.

Speaking at the occasion, the chief minister said:

"I have a long-standing relationship of respect and trust with the affected families and their elders, which will continue in the future as well"

He also said that if there had been any lapse or mistake on the government’s part at any level, it would be acknowledged and rectified. He said the affected families would receive every possible relief and support.

Bugti said key decisions had been taken at a meeting of the Balochistan Apex Committee attended by the prime minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and added that those decisions would be fully implemented. He announced financial compensation for the heirs of those killed in the Hanna Urak incident, government jobs for family members and educational expenses for the children of the deceased to be borne by the provincial government.

The chief minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to taking all possible measures to protect lives and property and to establish lasting peace in the province.

Attack and recovery of abductees

Unidentified armed men attacked the Hanna Urak area of Kili Babri on the outskirts of Quetta on July 5. Five civilians were killed, eight others were injured and 11 people were abducted. In response, the heirs and local residents blocked Airport Road for five days, disrupting traffic in the city.

Provincial Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau said all 11 abductees had been recovered safely. He said 10 were freed on Thursday night, while one had been released a day earlier, and all had been brought safely to Quetta.

Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar also confirmed the recovery and said it had been made possible through joint efforts by the Balochistan government, law enforcement agencies and tribal elders.