Country Advice

Pakistan Pakistan – PAK39326 – Quetta – Wedding Photography – Kidnapping 19 October 2011

1. (a) Can you confirm whether a suicide attack happened on 3 September 2010 at Mezan Chowk and, if so, (b) can you provide more details about the background of this attack, e.g. where it happened, what time of day, etc.?

On 3 September 2010, a suicide bombing took place at Mezan Chowk (Mizan Chowk, Meezan Chowk),1 a “commercial hub” located in the city of Quetta.2 The target of the attack was a Shi‟a Muslim rally3 that had been organised to mark al-Quds Day4 and express solidarity with the Palestinians.5 The rally had been organised by the Shi‟a Imamia Students‟ Organisation.6

1 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep- 2010/Bloodbath-as-bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 2 „Pakistani agency reports details of Quds rally blast‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 3 September. 3 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep- 2010/Bloodbath-as-bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011; Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 4 Zafar, M. 2010, „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed- in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011; „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 5 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011; Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011; Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 6 „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan- news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed-in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011; „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011.

Page 1 of 24 It was reported that the bombing took place at Mezan Chowk near Baldia Plaza.7 No reports were located indicating the specific time when this suicide bombing occurred, although it was reported that the rally had commenced soon after Friday prayers.8 One report indicates that a crowd of 450 people took part in the rally,9 while other reports indicate that “hundreds” of people had participated.10 The reported number of persons killed in the attack ranged from “at least 42”11 to “over 70”.12 While a substantial number of people were killed and wounded in the initial blast,13 further casualties were sustained in violence that was perpetrated in the immediate aftermath of the bombing.14 The majority of the persons killed were reportedly Hazaras.15 The militant groups Lashkar-e-Jhangvi16 and the Pakistani Taliban17 both claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to BBC News, “the rally was one of many that take place in Pakistan each year on the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to support the Palestinian demand for a

7 „Pakistani agency reports details of Quds rally blast‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 3 September. 8 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 9 „Pakistan: Quetta bombing death toll rise to 59, around 200 injured‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Geo TV, 4 September. 10 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 11 „UN chief deplores deadly attacks against Pakistan‟s Shiite Muslims‟ 2010, UNHCR Refworld website, source: United Nations News Service, 3 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c84aca21a.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 12 US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 2. 13 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 14 „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed- in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english- online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as-bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011; Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 15 „45 martyrs of Quetta suicide-blast laid to rest‟ 2010, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/45-martyrs-of- Quetta-suicideblast-laid-to-rest – Accessed 10 October 2011. 16 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011; Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 17 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Mehsud, S. 2010, „CORRECTED – WRAPUP 11 – Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.‟, Reuters, 4 September http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/04/pakistan- idUSSGE68207V20100904 – Accessed 10 October 2011; US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 2.

Page 2 of 24 homeland”.18 The rally had reportedly been organised by the Shi‟a Imamia Students‟ Organisation.19 According to the Daily Times, the rally “started from Islam Imambargah, located on the Prince Road, soon after the Friday prayers”.20 The Pakistani online newspaper, Daily Times, also reported that “hundreds of people joined the rally as it moved towards the centre of the city”.21 The Pakistani television network Geo TV stated that a “450-strong crowd” took part in the procession,22 while The Nation made reference to the participation of “hundreds of people from [the] Shia community”.23 The Associated Press of Pakistan also stated that “it was learnt that the rally had to be culminated at an imambargah [Shi'a congregation hall] through Liaquat Bazaar”.24

The Nation reported that police had attempted to stop the rally when it reached Alamdar Road,25 while the Daily Times indicates that they attempted to stop it “near Mali Bagh”.26 The police attempted to stop the rally from continuing due to “security concerns”, but the protestors broke up the barricades that had been set up by the police and continued towards Mezan Chowk.27 According to the Daily Times, the police claimed that the protestors had not followed the route that they had previously approved, and also that they had warned the protestors that none of their officers had been deployed in Mezan Chowk.28

18 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 19 „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed- in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011; „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 20 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 21 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 22 „Pakistan: Quetta bombing death toll rise to 59, around 200 injured‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Geo TV, 4 September. 23 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 24 „Pakistani agency reports details of Quds rally blast‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 3 September. 25 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 26 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 27 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 28 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011.

Page 3 of 24 The Daily Times stated that the suicide bomber had subsequently “detonated his explosive vest” when the rally reached Mezan Chowk.29 The Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the procession was “passing at Mizan Chowk near Baldia Plaza” when the bombing took place.30 The Nation stated that the suicide bomber had detonated his explosives “right in the middle of the procession” as the rally was “passing from Meezan Chowk”. Over 40 people reportedly died instantly, while “more than 120 people suffered serious wounds”.31

The locations of Mezan Chowk, Baldia Plaza, Alamdar Road, Mali Bagh Road and the “Liaquat Bazar Branch” of a bank have been highlighted on the map of Quetta below:32

Geo TV reported that, following the attack, “chaotic scenes followed, with an angry mob starting fires and shooting into the air while others fled or lay on the ground to avoid the gunfire”.33 The Associated Press of Pakistan described “indiscriminate firing” that “took place soon after the explosion”, and reported “infuriated persons” having “torched some

29 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 30 „Pakistani agency reports details of Quds rally blast‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 3 September. 31 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 32 „Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan‟ (undated), Google Maps website http://maps.google.com.au/maps/place?ftid=0x3ed2de34ca7faae9:0x4696d44c4b6ff197&q=Quetta,+Balochistan,+Pa kistan&hl=en&ved=0CAwQ-gswAA&sa=X&ei=2g-dToDnEIfymAWlmviYDw – Accessed 18 October 2011 – . 33 „Pakistan: Quetta bombing death toll rise to 59, around 200 injured‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Geo TV, 4 September.

Page 4 of 24 pushcarts and makeshift stalls at the Baldia Plaza”.34 The Nation reported that “armed youth started firing after the blast” and that “many persons sustained bullet injuries”.35 Another report from The Nation stated that the blast triggered a stampede in which a “large number of people suffered injuries”. Protestors had also “burnt vehicles, ransacked public properties, shops and fired gunshots on media persons” in the aftermath of the attack.36 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that the suicide bombing had triggered “further violence, including gunfire, clashes with police, and arsons of cars and motorcycles”, with some news reports linking the gunfire “to the surviving protesters”.37 Reporters Without Borders reported that “journalists at the scene said some of their colleagues were wounded by the bombing while others were injured by shots fired at them by Shiite demonstrators”.38

The Nation reported that on the day following the suicide bombing “all the markets and bazaars” in Quetta “remained closed” following a call by the Balochistan Shi‟ite Council for a strike to protest “against the terrorism incident in the city”.39

Casualties of the Attack

Accurate figures of casualties could not be determined. Reports provide a range of figures in relation to the number of casualties that resulted from the Mezan Chowk suicide bombing. In reports published on the day of the attack, the United Nations News Service stated that “at least 42 people have reportedly died and nearly 80 others have been wounded”,40 BBC News reported that “at least 50 people” were killed, with “nearly 80 others” injured.41 The Nation stated that “at least 60 people” had died and that “more than 160 including media men” were also injured, although reference was also made to hospital officials‟ statements that “they had received about 170 injured people”.42

The day after the attack, the Daily Times reported that “at least 55 people” had been killed and “over 200 others were injured”,43 while Geo TV reported that the death toll had risen to

34 „Pakistani agency reports details of Quds rally blast‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 3 September. 35 „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed- in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011. 36 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 37 Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 38 Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 39 „45 martyrs of Quetta suicide-blast laid to rest‟ 2010, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/45-martyrs-of- Quetta-suicideblast-laid-to-rest – Accessed 10 October 2011. 40 „UN chief deplores deadly attacks against Pakistan‟s Shiite Muslims‟ 2010, UNHCR Refworld website, source: United Nations News Service, 3 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c84aca21a.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 41 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 42 „Suicide attack on Shia rally kills 60 in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 3 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/03-Sep-2010/28-killed- in-Quetta-suicide-blast – Accessed 10 October 2011. 43 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011.

Page 5 of 24 59 while another 197 were injured.44 On the same day, Reuters stated that “senior police official Hamid Shakeel told Reuters at least 54 people were killed and about 160 wounded”.45 The Nation reported that “as many as 59 people were killed”, with “over 120” injured.46

Two days after the bombing, The Nation reported that “more than 56 people were killed and over 102 injured”.47 Reporters Without Borders, in a report published three days after the attack, stated that the “overall death toll was 59”.48 Amnesty International reported that “at least 65” people were killed and “150 injured”.49 The South Asia Terrorism Portal stated that “at least 67 persons were killed while over 200 others were injured”.50 The US Department of State reported that “over 70 people” were killed and “at least 100” were killed in this suicide bombing.51

The majority of the persons killed were reportedly Hazaras. A report from The Nation, published on 4 September 2010, stated that 45 persons killed in the Mezan Chowk suicide bombing were laid to rest the following day in the “Hazara graveyard of the city”, with “thousands of people” attending the funeral prayers for the victims. It was stated that the bodies of other victims of the suicide bombing “were sent to their respective cities”.52

Another report from The Nation, published on 4 September 2010, provides the following list of some of the persons who had been killed as a result of the attack. The list provided read as follows:

…Gul Muhammad, Muhammad Javed, Hussain Ali, Naseebullah, Imran, Talib Hussain, Mehdi Hussain, Muhammad Hussain, Syed Abass, Raza Zargar, Ejaz Sarwar, Jalil Ahmed, Barat Ali and Raja Anwar.53

Mohammad Sarwar, a driver for Aaj TV, was reported to have been killed in the violence, while Ejaz Raisani, a cameraman for Samaa TV, died the following Monday of gunshot

44 „Pakistan: Quetta bombing death toll rise to 59, around 200 injured‟ 2010, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Geo TV, 4 September. 45 Mehsud, S. 2010, „CORRECTED – WRAPUP 11 – Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.‟, Reuters, 4 September http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/04/pakistan-idUSSGE68207V20100904 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 46 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011. 47 „„Israel, local agents behind bombings‟‟ 2010, The Nation, 5 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- newspaper-daily-english-online/Islamabad/05-Sep-2010/Israel-local-agents-behind-bombings – Accessed 10 October 2011. 48 Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 49 Amnesty International 2011, Annual Report 2011 – Pakistan, 13 May. 50 South Asia Terrorism Portal 2011, „Sectarian Violence in Pakistan‟ http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/sect-killing.htm – Accessed 5 October 2011. 51 US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September, Section 2. 52 „45 martyrs of Quetta suicide-blast laid to rest‟ 2010, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/45-martyrs-of- Quetta-suicideblast-laid-to-rest – Accessed 10 October 2011. 53 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011.

Page 6 of 24 wounds.54 Reporters Without Borders provided the names of six journalists who were “seriously injured” in the Mezan Chowk attack and subsequent violence.55 CPJ reported on 7 September 2010 that, in addition to the deaths of Sarwar and Raisani, eight journalists had been injured.56

The Perpetrators and Motive of the Attack

Reports were located which refer to both the Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility for the Mezan Chowk suicide bombing. The CPJ reported that both the Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility for the attack.57 The Daily Times reported that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility for the Mezan Chowk suicide bombing, with its spokesman warning that “the group would “carry out more attacks if Shias continue to take out processions and hold gatherings””.58 The Nation and Reporters Without Borders also reported that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility for the attack.59 However, BBC News reported that “Pakistani Taliban militants” had claimed responsibility for the attack, and that “they had carried out the blasts in revenge for the killing of a Sunni leader last year”.60 Reuters stated that the Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attacks, and indicated that “the bombing was revenge for the killing of radical Sunni clerics by Shi'ites”.61 The US Department of State also reported that “the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)” had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing.62 In addition, Amnesty International stated that “the Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack”.63

The Mezan Chowk suicide bombing came two days after bombing attacks on a Shi‟a Muslim procession in Lahore.64 Reuters and the US Department of State reported that the Pakistani Taliban had also claimed responsibility for this attack.65

54 Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 55 Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 56 Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 57 Committee to Protect Journalists 2010, „Journalist, media worker dead in Quetta attack‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 7 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cb6c80029.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 58 Zafar, M. 2010, „55 killed in Quetta rally attack‟, Daily Times, 4 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C04%5Cstory_4-9-2010_pg1_1 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 59 Baloch, B. 2010, „Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally‟, The Nation, 4 September http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/04-Sep-2010/Bloodbath-as- bomber-rips-through-Quetta-rally – Accessed 10 October 2011; Reporters Without Borders 2010, „Journalists killed and injured in Quetta bombing, reporter kidnapped in Islamabad‟, UNHCR Refworld website, 6 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c8df29814.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 60 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 61 Mehsud, S. 2010, „CORRECTED – WRAPUP 11 – Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.‟, Reuters, 4 September http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/04/pakistan-idUSSGE68207V20100904 – Accessed 10 October 2011. 62 US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 2. 63 Amnesty International 2011, Annual Report 2011 – Pakistan, 13 May. 64 „Quetta rally suicide bomb kills dozens‟ 2010, BBC News, 3 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south- asia-11177686 – Accessed 10 October 2011; US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 2; Amnesty International 2011, Annual Report 2011 –

Page 7 of 24 2. Is wedding photography illegal in Pakistan?

No information was located which suggests that wedding photography is illegal in Pakistan. In addition, no reports were located which indicate that the practice of wedding photography is regarded in a negative manner in that country. Reports were located which refer to photographs being taken at weddings in Pakistan, and to wedding photographers being able to operate in that country.66 Information was located, however, indicating that certain Islamist elements in Pakistan do have a negative view towards taking photographs of women.67

Two articles from the Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune, both published in 2010, were located which both specifically deal with the experience of the couple having photographs on their wedding day.68 One of these articles, published on 16 December 2010, reports on the emergence of new trends in Pakistani wedding photography, driven by “a new breed of photographers” and the desire of couples to move away from “traditional bridal photography”.69 The other report, published on 29 October 2010, refers to the process of selecting a wedding photographer and the concerns that couples have regarding how they look in the photographs.70

The author of an opinion piece published in The Nation on 13 April 2011 refers to meeting “twin sisters, who were covering a wedding as professional photographers”.71

A May 2008 report from The Nation, makes reference to Nasir Saeed, chief executive of Super Enterprises, the “country‟s leading company dealing in digital imaging products”, encouraging persons to earn a living in the photography industry “by setting up their own digital photo-studios and through indoor and outdoor photo shooting”. It was also indicated that these persons would “be able to carry out photography on wedding parties and other

Pakistan, 13 May; Mehsud, S. 2010, „CORRECTED – WRAPUP 11 – Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.‟, Reuters, 4 September http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/04/pakistan-idUSSGE68207V20100904 – Accessed 10 October 2011; „UN chief deplores deadly attacks against Pakistan‟s Shiite Muslims‟ 2010, UNHCR Refworld website, source: United Nations News Service, 3 September http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4c84aca21a.html – Accessed 10 October 2011. 65 Mehsud, S. 2010, „CORRECTED – WRAPUP 11 – Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.‟, Reuters, 4 September http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/04/pakistan-idUSSGE68207V20100904 – Accessed 10 October 2011; US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September, Section 2. 66 Zubair, H. & Amin, M. 2010, „Wedding photos: Flash forward‟, The Express Tribune, 16 December http://tribune.com.pk/story/87067/wedding-photos-flash-forward/ – Accessed 12 October 2011; Qamar, S. 2010, „Striking a pose on your big day‟, The Express Tribune, 29 October http://tribune.com.pk/story/69563/striking-a- pose-on-your-big-day/ – Accessed 12 October 2011; Javed, A. 2008, „Counter unemployment through digital imaging‟, The Nation, 12 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english- online/Business/12-May-2008/Counter-unemployment-through-digital-imaging – Accessed 12 October 2011. 67 Amnesty International 2010, “As if Hell Fell On Me” – The Human Rights Crisis in Northwest Pakistan, 10 June, p. 41; US Department of State 2006, International Religious Freedom Report for 2006 – Pakistan, 15 September, Section 2. 68 Zubair, H. & Amin, M. 2010, „Wedding photos: Flash forward‟, The Express Tribune, 16 December http://tribune.com.pk/story/87067/wedding-photos-flash-forward/ – Accessed 12 October 2011; Qamar, S. 2010, „Striking a pose on your big day‟, The Express Tribune, 29 October http://tribune.com.pk/story/69563/striking-a- pose-on-your-big-day/ – Accessed 12 October 2011. 69 Zubair, H. & Amin, M. 2010, „Wedding photos: Flash forward‟, The Express Tribune, 16 December http://tribune.com.pk/story/87067/wedding-photos-flash-forward/ – Accessed 12 October 2011. 70 Qamar, S. 2010, „Striking a pose on your big day‟, The Express Tribune, 29 October http://tribune.com.pk/story/69563/striking-a-pose-on-your-big-day/ – Accessed 12 October 2011. 71 Tariq, S. 2011, „A tribute to Pakistani women‟, The Nation, 13 April http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/13-Apr-2011/A-tribute-to-Pakistani-women – Accessed 12 October 2011.

Page 8 of 24 ceremonies”.72 A report from The Christian Science Monitor, published on 14 July 2008, makes reference to a couple in Karachi who had “a glossy photo of their wedding four years before”.73

An August 2003 report from the Pakistan & Gulf Economist refers to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Kodak Limited Pakistan Branch and the Virtual University of Bangladesh for the former to provide “support and assistance in a Professional Course on Photography” as part of the university‟s Performing Arts curriculum. It was reported that the course would consist of a “Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced level”. A course on “Wedding/Events Photography” was to be included at the Intermediate level, and also offered as an option at the Advanced level.74

Although no information was located in relation to wedding photography being illegal or perceived negatively in Pakistan, two reports were found which indicate that certain Islamist elements in that country do have a negative view towards taking photographs of women. For example, information was located indicating that the Pakistani Taliban/Taleban considers the practice of taking photographs of women to be un-Islamic, and has made threats against women who have sought to have their photograph taken for the purpose of obtaining official identification. A report from Amnesty International, published in June 2010, provides the following relevant information:

In Khyber Agency, in November 2008, the Taleban threatened local women who were going to the offices of NADRA (the National Database and Registration Authority, which provides new registration for Pakistanis), as it was registering women for the Benazir Income Support Program. Taleban forces were apparently angry that the office took photographs of women beneficiaries for identification and registration. One man told Amnesty International:

There were no women at the NADRA office to take photograph of the local women for the registration cards. All the other staff was male. And this is why the militants, and also the local tribesmen, opposed the women's visiting the NADRA office…

Posters were pasted on walls in Landi Kotal warning people not to send women to the NADRA office. The handwritten posters said the practice of taking photographs of women is un-Islamic and males should not allow their women to visit the NADRA offices. The writings warned that they would take action if someone defied the orders.75

The US Department of State‟s 2006 International Religious Freedom Report for Pakistan, published on 15 September 2006, referred to the actions of the provincial government in North West Frontier Province, which was led by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), “a coalition of Islamist political parties”. It was reported that during 2006 the MMA “continued in its political rhetoric to call for the increased Islamization of the government and society”.76 The report indicates that the MMA-led provincial government had previously brought in a law which placed “bans on public displays of women's photos and dancing”, although it was

72 Javed, A. 2008, „Counter unemployment through digital imaging‟, The Nation, 12 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Business/12-May-2008/Counter- unemployment-through-digital-imaging – Accessed 12 October 2011. 73 Elliott, J. 2008, „In gritty Karachi, husband-wife team saves unwanted babies‟, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 July. 74 „Kodak signs MoU with Virtual University‟ 2003, Pakistan & Gulf Economist, August 4-10 http://www.pakistaneconomist.com/issue2003/issue31/announce.asp – Accessed 12 October 2011. 75 Amnesty International 2010, “As if Hell Fell On Me” – The Human Rights Crisis in Northwest Pakistan, 10 June, p. 41. 76 US Department of State 2006, International Religious Freedom Report for 2006 – Pakistan, 15 September.

Page 9 of 24 acknowledged that these bans were “not enforced”.77 No further reference to these bans was found in any of the US Department of State International Religious Freedom Reports for Pakistan that have been published since 2006.

3. Is there any information to suggest that people in Quetta with links to western countries are more at risk of kidnapping?

Information was located indicating that persons associated with western countries, including foreign nationals, are targeted for kidnapping in Balochistan, the province of which Quetta is the capital.78 In their current travel advice for Pakistan, the Australian79 and British80 governments have stated that foreign nationals are at risk of being kidnapped in Balochistan. The Canadian81 and US82 governments have also indicated that foreign nationals are at risk of being kidnapping throughout Pakistan.

It should be noted that persons associated with western countries, including foreign nationals, are one of a number of groups which are targeted for kidnapping in Balochistan, with other groups also targeted including Hazaras,83 Hindus,84 Ahmedis,85 traders,86 doctors,87 educated

77 US Department of State 2006, International Religious Freedom Report for 2006 – Pakistan, 15 September, Section 2. 78 Baloch, S. 2011, „US citizen kidnapped, released within 1 hour‟ 2011, The Express Tribune, 13 September http://tribune.com.pk/story/250693/us-nationals-kidnapped-from-quetta/ – Accessed 14 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2011, „Gunmen kidnap 8 workers of US charity in Pishin‟, The Nation, 20 July http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan- news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/20-Jul-2011/Gunmen-kidnap-8-workers-of-US-charity-in-Pishin – Accessed 13 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2011, „Swiss couple kidnapped in Loralai‟, The Nation, 2 July http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/02-Jul-2011/Swiss-couple- kidnapped-in-Loralai – Accessed 13 October 2011; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, pp. 81 & 176; „Relief agencies stop work in Balochistan‟ 2009, Dawn, 30 July. 79 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2011, Travel Advice – Pakistan, smartraveller.gov.au website, 7 October http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Pakistan – Accessed 14 October 2011.. 80 UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2011, Pakistan travel advice, 11 October http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel- and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/pakistan – Accessed 14 October 2011. 81 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 2011, Travel Report – Pakistan, 30 September http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=229000 – Accessed 14 October 2011. 82 US Department of State 2011, Travel Warning – Pakistan, travel.state.gov website, 8 August http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5540.html – Accessed 14 October 2011. 83 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 17 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011; Adil, A. 2009, „On the run: Target killing in Balochistan is rising‟, The News, 8 November. 84 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 15 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011; US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 3; „Hindu trader gunned down in kidnapping bid in Quetta‟ 2011, Daily Times, 7 February http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C07%5Cstory_7-2-2011_pg7_10 – Accessed 13 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Hindu trader shot dead, son kidnapped in Quetta‟, The Nation, 9 June http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/International/09-Jun-2010/Hindu-trader- shot-dead-son-kidnapped-in-Quetta – Accessed 13 October 2011; „Bid to kidnap child foiled‟ 2010, The Nation, 8 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/08-May-2010/Bid-to- kidnap-child-foiled – Accessed 13 October 2011; Zafar, M. 2010, „Protests across Balochistan against Hindu spiritual leader‟s kidnap‟, Daily Times, 23 December http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C23%5Cstory_23-12-2010_pg7_4 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 85 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 19 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 86 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 15 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Trader abducted in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 12 April http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper- daily-english-online/Lahore/12-Apr-2010/Trader-abducted-in-Quetta – Accessed 13 October 2011.

Page 10 of 24 persons88 and Baloch activists89. Incidents of kidnapping occur frequently both in Quetta90 and elsewhere in Balochistan.91

A map of Balochistan province is provided below:92

87 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, pp. 19-20 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Doctor abducted in Quetta‟ 2011, Daily Times, 29 March http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C03%5C29%5Cstory_29-3-2011_pg7_10 – Accessed 13 October 2011; „Quetta doctors protest against target killings‟ 2010, The News, 24 June. 88 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 20 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Quetta doctors protest against target killings‟ 2010, The News, 24 June. 89 US Department of State 2011, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2010 – Pakistan, 8 April, Section 1.b; Tatchell, P. 2010, „Right to self-determination for Baloch people‟, Open Democracy, 28 April; „Strike in Khuzdar over BSO worker‟s kidnap‟ 2010, Daily Times, 9 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C09%5Cstory_9-9-2010_pg7_26 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 90 „QESCO Chief Eng kidnapped in Quetta‟ 2011, Pakistan Observer, source: Independent News Pakistan, 24 June http://pakobserver.net/201106/24/detailnews.asp?id=99238 – Accessed 13 October 2011; „Bid to kidnap child foiled‟ 2010, The Nation, 8 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/08- May-2010/Bid-to-kidnap-child-foiled – Accessed 13 October 2011; Adil, A. 2009, „On the run: Target killing in Balochistan is rising‟, The News, 8 November. 91 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, pp. 7 & 373; „Deteriorating law, order situation condemned‟ 2010, The Nation, 12 June http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper- daily-english-online/Opinions/12-Jun-2010/Deteriorating-law-order-situation-condemned – Accessed 13 October 2011. 92 „Pakistan‟ (undated), Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection website http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/pakistan_pol_2002.jpg – Accessed 19 October 2011.

Page 11 of 24 Kidnappings of persons associated with western countries in Balochistan

There is information available indicating that persons associated with western countries, including foreign nationals, are targeted for kidnapping in Balochistan, the province of which Quetta is the capital. The following reports from were located which refer to kidnappings in that province of persons with associations to western countries during 2010 and 2011:

 A report from The Express Tribune, published on 13 September 2011, refers to the kidnapping of “an American national of Pakistani origin” along with his nephew, a Pakistani national, by “unidentified abductors” in Quetta. The American national had attended Quetta‟s Custom House “to process the clearance of unpaid duty on a vehicle”. Customs officials advised him that he would need to travel to Taftan. As he was travelling to that destination, the American national and his nephew were intercepted by “a group of armed men” and kidnapped. They were then “freed in the Jinnah Town area after 45 minutes of captivity”, although the American‟s vehicle was taken.93

 An article from The Nation, published on 20 July 2011, states that “at least eight Pakistani aid workers” of the “US-based NGO American Refugee Committee (ARC)” had been kidnapped by “unidentified armed persons” as they were returning from an Afghan refugee camp. The kidnapping took place on the “main Quetta-Chaman highway in Pishin district, some 55km north of Quetta”. The report specified that all of the kidnapped workers were Pakistani citizens.94 It was reported in early October 2011 that all eight workers had been released.95

 A report from The Nation, published 2 July 2011, refers to the kidnapping of a Swiss couple in Loralai district, “some 180 kilometres” northeast of Quetta by “unidentified armed men”.96 Responsibility for the kidnapping was later claimed by “Wali-ur Rehman, deputy chief of Pakistan‟s umbrella Taliban faction”.97

 According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan‟s State of Human Rights in 2010 report, published in April 2011, provides the following information in relation to the kidnapping of four employees of an NGO in February 2010:

On February 18, unidentified armed men abducted four employees of [US-based]98 international NGO Mercy Corps in the Shankai area of Qilla Saifullah district of Balochistan. The kidnappers demanded Rs 100 million in exchange for releasing the NGO workers. In June, the NGO closed its operations in the province after the

93 Baloch, S. 2011, „US citizen kidnapped, released within 1 hour‟ 2011, The Express Tribune, 13 September http://tribune.com.pk/story/250693/us-nationals-kidnapped-from-quetta/ – Accessed 14 October 2011. 94 Baloch, B. 2011, „Gunmen kidnap 8 workers of US charity in Pishin‟, The Nation, 20 July http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/20-Jul-2011/Gunmen-kidnap-8- workers-of-US-charity-in-Pishin – Accessed 13 October 2011. 95 „Kidnapped US charity workers freed after two months‟ 2011, Daily Times, source: Agence France-Presse (AFP), 5 October http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C10%5C05%5Cstory_5-10-2011_pg7_4 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 96 Baloch, B. 2011, „Swiss couple kidnapped in Loralai‟, The Nation, 2 July http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan- news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/02-Jul-2011/Swiss-couple-kidnapped-in-Loralai – Accessed 13 October 2011. 97 „Lie-detectors for American‟s kidnap case‟ 2011, Daily Times, 19 August http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C08%5C19%5Cstory_19-8-2011_pg7_15 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 98 „Mercy Corps leaves south Pakistan‟ 2010, BBC News, 14 June.

Page 12 of 24 kidnappers killed one of the abducted employees. In July, after the intervention of a local tribal jirga, the kidnappers freed the other three abducted workers.99

There is information available indicating that staff members of international aid agencies in Balochistan have been targeted for kidnapping. A report from Dawn, published on 14 June 2010, stated that “security in Baluchistan has declined rapidly since 2009” and that “several aid workers and officials have been attacked and kidnapped”.100 In its State of Human Rights in 2010 report, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) stated that “incidents of target killing and abduction for ransom forced several international NGOs to curtail their activities in Balochistan”. It was reported that in June 2010 “a Baloch militant organisation distributed a pamphlet in Kharan district of Balochistan warning the staff of different NGOs to stop their activities or they would be targeted.” It was also indicated that International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff in Balochistan had received telephone threats.101

In July 2009, international relief agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF, World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme, all suspended their activities in Balochistan after threats were issued by the Baloch Liberation United Front, an outlawed militant group, against their staff. Foreign staff members of these agencies were advised to stay indoors until they could be moved to Islamabad.102 This followed the kidnapping of an American UNHCR official, John Solecki, on 2 February 2009 by “ethnic Baluch separatists”. Solecki was subsequently released by his captors on 4 April 2009.103

Information from the governments of western countries has also been located indicating that nationals of those countries are targeted for kidnapping both in Balochistan in particular, and in Pakistan in general. In its „Travel Advice‟ for Pakistan, issued on 7 October 2011, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade‟s smartraveller.gov.au website provides the following relevant information:

Foreigners have been kidnapped in Pakistan, including an American aid worker in Lahore in August 2011, two Swiss tourists in Baluchistan in July 2011, the Afghan Ambassador-designate, the Iranian consul, Chinese and Polish engineers, and others.

Kidnapping and assassination of foreigners remains a threat throughout the country, particularly in Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North West Frontier Province) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.104

The United Kingdom‟s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), in its travel advice for Pakistan issued on 11 October 2011, provides the following information in relation to the kidnapping of foreign nationals in Pakistan:

We are concerned about the risk to foreigners of kidnapping. You should be alert to this threat throughout the country. British nationals of Pakistani origin are at particular risk of kidnap for ransom.105

99 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 81. 100 „Mercy Corps leaves south Pakistan‟ 2010, BBC News, 14 June. 101 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 176. 102 „Relief agencies stop work in Balochistan‟ 2009, Dawn, 30 July. 103 US Department of State 2010, Country Reports on Terrorism 2009, August, p. 157. 104 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2011, Travel Advice – Pakistan, smartraveller.gov.au website, 7 October http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Pakistan – Accessed 14 October 2011.

Page 13 of 24 In addition, the FCO provided the following information regarding kidnappings and the general security situation in Balochistan in this travel advice:

There is a heightened risk from kidnapping and militant activity in much of Balochistan. We advise against all travel to Northern Balochistan including the area from the border with K-P down to the Sui/Dera Bugti area and west towards Quetta. We advise against all travel to Western Balochistan in particular the areas bordering Afghanistan and Iran, including overland routes to and from these countries. We advise against all but essential travel to Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.106

Canada‟s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the US Department of State have both also indicated in their current travel advice for Pakistan that foreign nationals are at risk of being kidnapping throughout Pakistan.107

Other groups targeted for kidnappings in Quetta and Balochistan

While there is information available indicating that persons with associations to western countries are targeted for kidnapping in Balochistan, it should be noted that this is one of a number of groups in that province which are targeted in this manner.

Shi’a Hazaras

Members of the Shi‟a Hazara community in Balochistan have also been targeted for kidnapping. In its aforementioned June 2011 report, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) outlined information received in Quetta from Ahmed Ali Kohzad of the Hazara Democratic Party, in which he referred to how “killings and kidnappings had rendered many wealthy Hazara businessmen in Balochistan penniless”. It was also reported that Kohzad had “named several Hazara businessman who had been robbed or had to pay huge sums of money as ransom”.108 A report from The News, published on 8 November 2009, also stated that, in Quetta, “members of the Hazara community are abducted often and the ransom money varies between one to four million rupees”.109

Hindus

There are reports which indicate that members of the Hindu religious minority in Balochistan are targeted for kidnapping. In a June 2011 report on its fact-finding mission to Balochistan the previous month, the HRCP makes reference to information gathered in Quetta from “a social activist from the Hindu community” who stated that “more than 30 persons from the Hindu community had been kidnapped for ransom”. The activist also stated that “those who

105 UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2011, Pakistan travel advice, 11 October http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/pakistan – Accessed 14 October 2011. 106 UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2011, Pakistan travel advice, 11 October http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/pakistan – Accessed 14 October 2011. 107 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 2011, Travel Report – Pakistan, 30 September http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=229000 – Accessed 14 October 2011; US Department of State 2011, Travel Warning – Pakistan, travel.state.gov website, 8 August http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5540.html – Accessed 14 October 2011. 108 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 17 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 109 Adil, A. 2009, „On the run: Target killing in Balochistan is rising‟, The News, 8 November.

Page 14 of 24 tried to resist kidnapping attempts were killed”.110 The US Department of State, in its International Religious Freedom Report for Pakistan covering the period from July to December 2010, indicated that the Hindu community in Balochistan “reported they were increasingly the target of kidnappings for ransom”. It was also reported that “Hindus claimed they were forced to pay ransom because police did little to recover kidnapping victims”.111 Three reports were located from 2010 and 2011 which refer to the kidnapping or attempted kidnapping of Hindus in Quetta.112 A December 2010 report was also located which referred to the kidnapping of the Hindu spiritual leader Maharaja Luckmi Chand Garji “near Surab, about 100 kilometres from Kalat” in Balochistan.113

Ahmedis

The HRCP also obtained information from representatives of the Ahmedi community in Quetta indicating that members of their community had been targeted for kidnapping. These representatives advised that Ahmedis in Balochistan had “been kidnapped for ransom and some had been killed despite payment of ransom”. Reference was made to the case of an Ahmedi mine owner who was kidnapped for ransom and then killed despite the payment of a 3.2 million rupee ransom. It was also stated that, in March 2010, another Ahmedi had been abducted and released after the payment of a large ransom. He had reportedly “chosen to settle abroad” after his release.114

Traders

In addition, there is information available indicating that traders are targeted for kidnapping in Quetta and Balochistan. In its June 2011 report, the HRCP refers to information gathered in Quetta from Balochistan Anjuman-e-Tajran wa Dukandaran Chairman, Hameed Bangulzai. Bangulzai reportedly told HRCP that “traders were being abducted for ransom” and that “traders hailing from different communities, including those from the religious minorities, had been killed and abducted for ransom”.115 A report from The Nation, published on 12 April 2010, refers to the abduction of a trader in Quetta by “unidentified armed men”.116

Doctors

110 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 15 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 111 US Department of State 2011, International Religious Freedom Report for 2010 (July-December) – Pakistan, 13 September , Section 3. 112 „Hindu trader gunned down in kidnapping bid in Quetta‟ 2011, Daily Times, 7 February http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C07%5Cstory_7-2-2011_pg7_10 – Accessed 13 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Hindu trader shot dead, son kidnapped in Quetta‟, The Nation, 9 June http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/International/09-Jun-2010/Hindu-trader- shot-dead-son-kidnapped-in-Quetta – Accessed 13 October 2011; „Bid to kidnap child foiled‟ 2010, The Nation, 8 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/08-May-2010/Bid-to- kidnap-child-foiled – Accessed 13 October 2011. 113 Zafar, M. 2010, „Protests across Balochistan against Hindu spiritual leader‟s kidnap‟, Daily Times, 23 December http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C23%5Cstory_23-12-2010_pg7_4 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 114 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 19 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 115 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 15 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 116 „Trader abducted in Quetta‟ 2010, The Nation, 12 April http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper- daily-english-online/Lahore/12-Apr-2010/Trader-abducted-in-Quetta – Accessed 13 October 2011.

Page 15 of 24 There are also reports which indicate that doctors are targeted for kidnapping in Quetta and Balochistan. The HRCP made reference in its June 2011 report to information provided in Quetta by representatives of the Balochistan Doctors and Paramedics Association, who stated that “many senior doctors were leaving Balochistan for other parts of the country as well as abroad because of threats such as targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom”.117 A report from the Daily Times, published on 29 March 2011, refers to the kidnapping in Quetta of Dr Mumtaz Hyderi, “the head of the Physiology Department at the Bolan Medical College (BMC)”, by unidentified armed men as he was on his way to the BMC. Police confirmed that this was a kidnapping for ransom.118 A report from The News, published on 24 June 2010, also makes reference to the kidnapping of three doctors in Balochistan.119

Educated Persons and Baloch Activists

There is also information available indicating that educated persons in Balochistan are also targeted for kidnappings, and that persons are also kidnapped on political grounds. The HRCP, in its June 2011 report, states that Quetta-based members of its organisation had “referred to targeted killing and kidnapping for ransom of educated individuals and added that most of them were not involved in any political or sectarian activity”.120 A report from The News, published on 24 June 2010, makes reference to a statement by the Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, where he referred to the “targeting” by “miscreants” of “teachers, doctors and educated lot of the society only to deter the saner elements of the society to serve the people of Balochistan”. Raisani also reportedly “condemned the incidents of target killings and abduction of people on political grounds”.121

There is also information available indicating that Baloch activists are also targeted for kidnapping in Balochistan. The US Department of State‟s 2010 Country Report on Human Rights Practices for Pakistan, published on 8 April 2011, provides the following relevant information:

Disappearances from Balochistan remained a problem during the year, with Baloch political groups demanding greater political and human rights. In February Balochistan chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani told the Daily Times that 999 persons from Balochistan were missing. According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), more than 785 persons disappeared since January; the bodies of 35 of them were found in different areas in Balochistan. The VBMP estimated that more than 11,000 persons had disappeared in Balochistan since 2001. Ghulam Mohammad Baloch was a member of a committee formed to ascertain the identity of some 800 victims of enforced disappearance. The Balochistan High Court set up a judicial inquiry in April and in September called on the intelligence agencies to assist the investigation of the killings after police complained about their lack of cooperation.122

117 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, pp. 19-20 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 118 „Doctor abducted in Quetta‟ 2011, Daily Times, 29 March http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C03%5C29%5Cstory_29-3-2011_pg7_10 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 119 „Quetta doctors protest against target killings‟ 2010, The News, 24 June. 120 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 20 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 121 „Quetta doctors protest against target killings‟ 2010, The News, 24 June. 122 US Department of State 2011, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2010 – Pakistan, 8 April, Section 1.b.

Page 16 of 24 A report from Open Democracy, published on 28 April 2010, stated that “Baloch human rights groups report that the kidnapping and torture of peaceful, lawful Baloch activists remains unchecked”. It was also reported that “the Pakistani government has admitted that in 2009 over 1,000 Baloch people were seized by its security forces and disappeared”.123 A report from the Daily Times, published on 9 September 2010, refers to the kidnapping of a Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) member, Imran Baloch, by “a group of armed men” from the Civil Hospital in Quetta. BSO workers alleged that Baloch had been kidnapped by security forces.124

State response to kidnappings in Quetta and Balochistan

In its State of Human Rights in 2010 report, the HRCP stated the police in Pakistan had registered 581 cases of kidnapping for ransom nationwide during 2010. Of these, 49 were for Balochistan. However, it was stated that “the actual figure was believed to be much higher, as in many instances families of the victims did not report the crime because of fear of risking a relative‟s life and quietly paid the ransom”.125 In a table providing crime statistics provided by provincial police services, it was indicated that there were 16,977 cases of kidnapping or abduction across Pakistan in 2010. Of these, 250 occurred in Balochistan.126

Information has been located indicating that kidnappings occur frequently in Quetta. For example, a report from Independent News Pakistan, published on 24 June 2011, stated that “cases of kidnapping for ransom have been frequent in Quetta but still no effective measures have been initiated by the provincial government to curb the menace surging with each passing day”.127 A report from The Nation, published on 8 May 2010, stated that “incidents of kidnapping for ransom are on the rise in Balochistan particularly in provincial capital [sic] while police so far has failed to arrest kidnappers”.128 In its State of Human Rights in 2009 report, published in February 2010, the HRCP stated that during 2009 “incidents of abduction for ransom in Quetta sharply rose and not a single perpetrator of the crime was held accountable”.129 An article from The News, published on 8 November 2009, makes reference to a statement from a representative of the Teachers‟ Association who said that “for the last couple of years two to three cases of abduction for ransom take place in Quetta every month”.130 In addition to the reports previously cited, three articles were located which referred to kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in Quetta during 2010 and 2011.131

123 Tatchell, P. 2010, „Right to self-determination for Baloch people‟, Open Democracy, 28 April. 124 „Strike in Khuzdar over BSO worker‟s kidnap‟ 2010, Daily Times, 9 September http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C09%5Cstory_9-9-2010_pg7_26 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 125 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, pp. 74-75. 126 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 87. 127 „QESCO Chief Eng kidnapped in Quetta‟ 2011, Pakistan Observer, source: Independent News Pakistan, 24 June http://pakobserver.net/201106/24/detailnews.asp?id=99238 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 128 „Bid to kidnap child foiled‟ 2010, The Nation, 8 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily- english-online/Opinions/08-May-2010/Bid-to-kidnap-child-foiled – Accessed 13 October 2011. 129 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2010, State of Human Rights in 2009, February, p. 63. 130 Adil, A. 2009, „On the run: Target killing in Balochistan is rising‟, The News, 8 November. 131 „QESCO Chief Eng kidnapped in Quetta‟ 2011, Pakistan Observer, source: Independent News Pakistan, 24 June http://pakobserver.net/201106/24/detailnews.asp?id=99238 – Accessed 13 October 2011; Zafar, M. 2010, „Citizens foil kidnapping bid in Quetta‟, Daily Times, 8 May http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C05%5C08%5Cstory_8-5-2010_pg7_21 – Accessed 13 October 2011; Baloch, B. 2010, „Senior lawyer abducted in Quetta‟, The Nation, 20 March http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/20-Mar-2010/Senior- lawyer-abducted-in-Quetta – Accessed 13 October 2011.

Page 17 of 24 In addition, there is information available indicating that kidnappings are a frequent occurrence throughout Balochistan. In its State of Human Rights in 2010 report, published in April 2011, the HRCP stated that “the threat of abduction and target killings in parts of Balochistan and FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] made them virtual no-go areas” during 2010.132 The same report referred to an “increase in cases of involuntary disappearance, especially in Balochistan” during that year.133 It was stated that “violence…by insurgents in Balochistan” had “made the law and order situation particularly appalling” in that province.134 It was also reported that “kidnapping for ransom is routine in all parts of the country”.135 In a „Travel Warning‟ issued for Pakistan on 8 August 2011, the US Department of State stated that “the kidnapping of Pakistani citizens and other foreign nationals, usually for ransom, continues to increase dramatically nationwide”.136 A report from The Nation, published on 12 June 2010, provides the following description of the security situation in Balochistan from Ajab Khan Miankhel, the “Provincial Vice Chairman of National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony”, in which he stated that kidnappings for ransom were “rampant” and on the increase:

„Acts of kidnapping for ransom, theft and robbery are mounting with every passing day‟, he said, adding, citizens were restricted to the premises of their houses due to rampant incidents of kidnapping for ransom and target killings.137

In its June 2011 on its fact finding mission to Balochistan, the HRCP provided the following information that had been given to them by Ahmed Ali Kohzad of the Hazara Democratic Party, which refers to the operation of kidnapping groups in Balochistan:

He said that police officials had noted that 78 groups of kidnappers for ransom were operating in the province. He claimed that the kidnappers were supported and protected by politicians, who asked the police to let them go if some of them were arrested.138

In addition to the reports previously cited, seven reports were located which refer to kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in areas of Balochistan other than Quetta during 2010 and 2011.139

132 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 7. 133 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 51. 134 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 74. 135 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, State of Human Rights in 2010, April, p. 373. 136 US Department of State 2011, Travel Warning – Pakistan, travel.state.gov website, 8 August http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5540.html – Accessed 14 October 2011. 137 „Deteriorating law, order situation condemned‟ 2010, The Nation, 12 June http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan- news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/12-Jun-2010/Deteriorating-law-order-situation-condemned – Accessed 13 October 2011. 138 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 2011, Balochistan – Blinkered slide into chaos: Report of an HRCP fact- finding mission, June, p. 17 http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/balochistan_report_2011.pdf – Accessed 14 October 2011. 139 „Balochistan unrest: Armed men kidnap two young girls‟ 2011, The Express Tribune, 5 September http://tribune.com.pk/story/245042/balochistan-unrest-armed-men-kidnap-two-young-girls/ – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Armed men kidnap 15 members of Suleman tribe near Chaman‟ 2011, The Express Tribune, 8 August http://tribune.com.pk/story/227017/armed-men-kidnap-15-members-of-suleman-tribe-near-chaman/ – Accessed 13 October 2011; Baloch, S. 2011, „Four PMDC officials kidnapped in Quetta‟, The Express Tribune, 18 July http://tribune.com.pk/story/211687/pmdc-officials-kidnapped-in-quetta/ – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Jhal Magsi deputy commissioner, guards kidnapped‟ 2011, Daily Times, 2 February http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C02%5C02%5Cstory_2-2-2011_pg1_5 – Accessed 13 October 2011; „Pakistan media body condemns killing of journalist in Balochistan‟ 2011, BBC Monitoring Service, source: Associated Press of Pakistan, 6 January; Baloch, S. 2010, „NHA accountant kidnapped‟, The Express Tribune, 15 November http://tribune.com.pk/story/77557/nha-accountant-kidnapped/ – Accessed 14 October 2011; „Four people kidnapped in Balochistan‟ 2010, Daily Times, 24 June

Page 18 of 24 Further information on the security situation in Quetta can be found in Country Advice PAK38780 (15 July 2011). This advice indicates that the current security situation in Quetta is poor for both Hazaras and the general population. The city has suffered frequent violent attacks in recent years as it plays host to a regional separatist insurgency, sectarian violence, Islamist militants and ruthless retaliatory actions by the state. Sources report that killings regularly go unaccounted for and that many victims are innocent members of the public.140

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C06%5C24%5Cstory_24-6-2010_pg7_21 – Accessed 13 October 2011. 140 RRT Country Advice Service 2011, Country Advice PAK38780, 15 July.

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Page 21 of 24 Javed, A. 2008, „Counter unemployment through digital imaging‟, The Nation, 12 May http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Business/12-May- 2008/Counter-unemployment-through-digital-imaging – Accessed 12 October 2011.

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