High walls around the neighbourhoods of Pakistan’s embattled Hazara community in Quetta are designed to protect them from extremist militants, but also serve as a constant reminder of the threat they face. Despite improved security in recent years, partly because most Hazaras have moved into the guarded enclaves, hardline militants keep up attacks, such as a blast in April that killed 24 people, among them eight Hazaras. “We are living under siege for more than a decade due to sectarian attacks,” said Sardar Sahil, a Hazara lawyer and rights activist. The Quetta community held its first Hazara Culture Day this week to celebrate and showcase its history, music and traditions. Domestic media often portray the Hazaras as targets of sectarian attacks or holding sit-ins to demand greater protection, but the community is developing and growing, said martial arts specialist Nargis Hazara.

Source: Pakistan Today July 05, 2019 12:45 UTC