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QUETTA: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that headway has been made in the investigation of Ashura firing incident. He was replying to a question asked during a press conference here on Saturday afternoon soon after meeting with the provincial authorities at the Governor House.

The Prime Minister had made a flying visit to the provincial capital to hold meetings with the Governor, Chief Minister and other provincial authorities and heads of Law enforcement Agencies.

Fight against Terror

The government, he said is fully determined to continue fight against terrorism and extremism.

He said that he has directed both the Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan to make a chain of command and work as a team to handle the situation arising out of the unfortunate incident and evolve pre-emptive measures to eliminate chances of recurrence of such happenings. It is good to consult each other to provide relief to the people, he added.

Foreign Hand

When asked whether he suspected some foreign hand in the incident, he said it could not be ruled out. However, inquiry is in progress and some headway has been made.

The Prime Minister said it is quite unfortunate that Ashura incident was the second of its kind within seven months. In both incidents suicide bombers were involved. The Chief Minister has constituted a judicial enquiry tribunal, he added.

These two major incidents had prompted to bring changes in the province, the PM observed by adding the he would see what changes could be made to improve the situation and that the government and the structure could work together.

Loss Assessment

He said that Governor and Chief Ministers have formed a committee to assess losses and damages caused during the incident so that the affected people could be compensated properly. He also assured assistance from the Federal Government so that those who are innocent may not suffer.

Zafarullah Jamali said that all the communities including Shias and Sunnis have been living in the province peacefully for centuries and they have to live together in future as well.

Meetings

He said he had had meetings with the representatives of Hazara and business communities and both condemned the incident.

There are certain elements who are involved in July 4 and the Ashura incident and are bent upon creating chaos and anarchy, the Premier observed.

Culprits to be Taken to Task

He assured that the government would make in depth enquiry and no one, be it a group or an individual of whatever status, would be taken to task. "Law is equally applicable to all and no one would be spared."

The Prime Minister said that it is the duty of every one of us to make joint efforts to stem violence, terrorism and extremism. Both the Government and people have to work together to promote unity and brotherhood and maintain religious harmony.

Briefing

On his arrival from Islamabad the Prime Minister was briefed on the law and order situation in the province with special reference to Ashrua incident.

Governor Owais Ghani and Chief Minister Jam Mohammed Yousuf were also present on the occasion.

A four-member delegation of Fiqah-Jaferia led by Provincial Minister Younus Changezi and a delegation of local businessmen led by Amruddin Agha called on the Prime Minister and apprised him of their problems in the backdrop of Ashura incident.

Situation in Quetta remains Normal

Meanwhile a latest report from Quetta says that the situation in the city remained normal. Curfew was relaxed in the city so that the people could procure provisions and attends their urgent works.

Situation in suburb areas where curfew was relaxed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. also remained normal.

Home Secretary Balochistan announced relaxation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the entire city except Mizan Chow, MeCongy Road, Prince Road, Abdul Sattar Road, Liaquat Bazaar, Masjid Road, Jinnah Road, Suraj Ganj Bazaar and Kasi Road, the area within Saleem Complex, Abdul Samad Road to Gawalmandi Chowk-Kasi Road to Khudadad Chowk to Mizan Chowk to Shahra-e-Iqbal and Mission Road where curfew will be relaxed in the morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 in the evening.