The dismal state of security affairs once again reared its ugly head at the Pakistan-Iran border where a dearth of personnel continues to inconvenience thousands of pilgrims stranded on their way back home. In the last few days, an unavailability of security escorts had trapped these pilgrims returning from Iran and Iraq at the country’s border where they suffer from unanticipated expenses in terms of food and lodging.
The pilgrims cannot be allowed to travel alone to Quetta largely because of an increasing viciousness of militant outfit and their sectarian bloodlust. Earlier this month, a similar attack on a bus in Quetta killed five Hazara women. In such arduous times, this unavailability of personnel protection despite various much-touted governmental claims of tighter safety arrangements for Shia Muslims this year validates their oblivion to a looming security threat. It is not just the security of people stranded on the border, which needs immediate attention, but also the welfare of Pakistanis at large. In the wake of circumstances that were causing delays to their travel plans, the authorities should have at least paid heed to a timely provision of food supplies until the arrangements were resolved.
Similar apathy was previously shown towards thousands of destitute Pakistani workers left to fend for themselves in Saudi Arabia after a large-scale downsizing by some Saudi construction companies. With no valid travel documentations or adequate food supplies, these expatriates struggled for months before their plight was noticed by the authorities. People who were fortunate enough to make their way back home formed only a minuscule of more than 8,000 Pakistanis still trapped in the Kingdom.
Even though the ministry of religious affairs is finally gearing up to realise its responsibilities towards Hajj pilgrims, last few years spelt sheer incompetence in response to pilgrims’ grievances. Negligence of Hajj administrators on top of expensive accommodations in far-flung areas nearly always exacerbated the woes of an otherwise spiritual journey .
The residents of any country expect their state’s machinery to at least work towards if not ensure their security and welfare. However, the nonchalance with which Pakistani authorities continue to treat the lives of their civilians, both inside and outside their country, paints a very grim picture of their disregard for an average Pakistani. Although government should facilitate all pilgrims in whatever sphere they can, no matter what journey they are embarking upon, a particular attention to their security should be given in areas considered vulnerable to militant designs. In the case of Shia pilgrims, the government should overcome its indifference to their plight and instead carve out an effective line of action on an immediate basis. Sectarian violence has already caused extensive damages to our citizenry on all fronts. Pakistan should not allow this scourge to bruise its land or its people to any further extent; efforts should be made towards achieving a better and a safer future for all. http://dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/22-Oct-16/shia-pilgrims-stuck-at-pakistan-iran-border\
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