Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari has rebutted the criticism after his video of negotiating with the Hazara Community went viral on Wednesday.
In a tweet, Bukhari responded to the ongoing diatribe against him after a small video clip of his interaction with the protestors circulated on Twitter. The Twitter users had condemned Bukhari for adopting apathetic and ignorant behavior towards the bereaved families. Hazara Community has staged a sit-in protest and refuses to bury the martyrs of the Machh killings.
People in vid clip aren’t victim families nor is it complete convo
Sitting in cosy homes&trying to do politics on Shuhda is despicable specially without knowing facts/context.
We shouldn’t side with enemy,have trust& pray their pain eases rather than play on it#HazaraLivesMatter— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) January 6, 2021
The protest has entered its third day. 11 coal miners were brutally killed in Machh area of southern Balochistan on Sunday. Coal miners were kidnapped and killed by armed men who took them to a nearby mountain. The coal miners were sleeping near the coal mine when they were kidnapped before dawn. The attackers tied their hands and feet and took them to a mountain.
I just don't understand how some people could be so heartless
Ik had promised a new Pakistan What do I see next , Shia Genocide .He should visit Quetta It is important for him to show solidarity with Hazara
I condemn the heartless behaviour of Zulfi bukhari
#WhereIsState pic.twitter.com/gWUFI8kSeV— Syeda Laila Jaffri 🇵🇰 (@Mohtermalaila) January 6, 2021
Now the protestors demand justice from the government and are adamant not to bury the victims until Prime Minister Imran Khan visits them.
Read more: Why is Balochistan becoming an epicenter of militancy?
PM Imran Khan had sent a delegation including Bukhari and Ali Haider Zaidi, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs to convince the bereaved families to bury the bodies.
However, a small clip of Bukhari talking to the leaders of the Hazara Shia community went viral on social media in which he was trying to convince them to reconsider their demand of PM Khan visiting them.
Myself & @sayedzbukhari on our way to Quetta to sympathize with the families of the those who were martyred. We will meet them tonight Inshallah. #HazaraLivesMatter
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) January 5, 2021
Negative social media trends are criticizing PM Khan for not reaching there- heavy discourse continues among the social media users who are speculating the reasons behind the deliberate decision of PM Khan’s not visiting the mourners immediately.
Read more: 11 coal miners killed in Balochistan’s Machh area
Meanwhile, responding to the backlash, Bukhari said: “People in vid clip aren’t victim families nor is it complete convo Sitting in cosy homes & trying to do politics on Shuhda is despicable specially without knowing facts/context. We shouldn’t side with the enemy have trust& pray their pain eases rather than play on it #HazaraLivesMatter,” wrote Bukhari in his tweet.
I share your pain & have come to you before also to stand with you in your time of suffering. I will come again very soon to offer prayers and condole with all the families personally. I will never betray my people's trust. Please bury your loved ones so their souls find peace.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 6, 2021
Meanwhile, PM Khan has also requested the mourners to bury the martyrs. He has assured the protestors he will visit them soon and will not leave them alone in the time of tragedy.