Pak PM Sharif orders more security for Shia pilgrims to Iran

Quetta: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said enhanced security including air travel would be provided to Shia pilgrims travelling to Iran through the restive southwestern Balochistan province. The premier admitted during a visit to the capital city of the troubled province that the pilgrims travelling to Iran faced serious security threats to their lives. In a bloody week in which at least 30 people were killed when a powerful bomb ripped through a bus carrying pilgrims in Mastung district and a mass grave with 15 bodies was discovered in Khuzdar, Sharif said the pilgrims would also be provided air travel for pilgrimage. [caption id=“attachment_1367691” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Nawaz Sharif. AFP[/caption] He also directed the political and military leadership in the province to devise a joint strategy to ensure peace. The Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif visited the military Headquarters of Southern Command here today. During the visit, Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua briefed the premier and army chief on Balochistan’s security situation. In addition to stressing on need for a joint security strategy for peace, the premier stressed on the need to accelerate development projects in the province to bring relief to the people. Gen Sharif said that the Pakistan Army would provide maximum assistance in enhancing the capacity of Balochistan Police to ensure peace in the province. He said currently the Southern Army Command in Quetta is training 200 policemen and Balochistan Constabulary forces. PTI