Four Hazara activists, including an alumnus of North Carolina University, have gone on a hunger strike in Quetta against Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan’s comments about the Hazara community.
Sajjad Changezi, who studied in North Carolina University in US, was the first activist to announce his protest against Imran Khan’s remarks. In a tweet on Friday he said: “I, Sajjad Hussain son of Ramzan Ali challenge you [Imran Khan]. I announce hunger strike at Quetta Press Club until death.”
Sajjad Changezi’s decision came after Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan accused that he was being blackmailed by family members of those killed in Mach incident. The bereaved family members had refused to bury the remains of 11 coal miners, who were killed in the Islamic States` attack, until the premier visits them.
In a speech on Friday Khan had said: “we have accepted all of their demands. [But] one of their demands is that the dead will be buried when the premier visits. I have sent them a message that when all of your demands have been accepted […] you don`t blackmail the prime minister of any country like this.”
Khan’s remarks attracted widespread condemnation and various Pakistani politicians deplored the indifference shown by him.
Soon after Khan’s speech Sajjad Changezi tweeted: “Literally in tears after I have watched Imran Khan video.”
After his announcement of hunger strike protest other activists including Sadiqa Sultan and Mohammad Aman also joined him.
“We have a single demand that Imran Khan comes to Quetta in person and apologises to the bereaved families of the victims”, Changezi tweeted about demands of their protest.
Though Imran Khan visited Quetta today but he is yet to “apologise” for his remarks.
The hunger strike camp, located in front of Quetta press club, was visited by several Baloch and Pashtun activists on Saturday to express solidarity.