Parachinar community organises protest in front of Pakistan High Commission

The demonstrators protested the deadly bombing in Parachinar that claimed lives of more than 70 people, but the Pakistan High Commission, while expressing condolence, has urged the community not to give it a sectarian angle.

Demonstrators in front of Pakistan High Commission Source: Irfan Ali

A group of Pakistani community members recently held a demonstration in front of the Pakistan High Commission in Canberra, protesting the deadly bombings in Parachinar that claimed more than 70 lives and left several injured.

The protesters, who belonged to the Parachinar community in Australia, had gathered in the nation’s capital from various cities and chosen to organise their protest when an Eid reception was taking place inside the embassy.

“Our voices are not being heard, not in Pakistan, not anywhere,” claims the protest organiser Irfan Ali while talking to SBS Urdu.

The media in Pakistan didn’t do its job and the government ignored our plea

Mr Ali alleges that the Parachinar community, which consists mostly of people from the Shia sect, is deliberately being ignored and targeted in Pakistan.

Parachinar community member Irfan Ali addressing the demonstrators Source: Irfan Ali

“The media in Pakistan didn’t do its job and the government ignored our plea. We were left with no other option but to raise our voices here.”

Guests attending the Eid reception at the embassy witnessed the protests as they passed by.

Pakistan High Commissioner Naela Chohan has expressed condolences to the community members but also questioned the motive of such protests.

Pakistan has been a victim of many terrorist activities, and as tragic as it is, we stand with and mourn for every life affected by such incidents

“Our sympathies to all our fellow community members for this tragic incident,” Ms Chohan grieves in an interview with SBS Urdu.

“But unfortunately some people are trying to give this a sectarian angle, which should be discouraged. Pakistan has been a victim of many terrorist activities, and as tragic as it is, we stand with and mourn for every life affected by such incidents.”

Protestors claim their voices are being ignored while the Pakistan High Commission has urged them to not give this tragedy a sectarian angle Source: Irfan Ali

The protesters handed over a list of their demands to the embassy staff, which would be forwarded to the relevant authorities.

To hear the demands and reaction from the High Commissioner, play the audio for interviews of Ms Naela Chohan and Mr Irfan Ali.