Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that national security should be above political disagreements and appealed to the political leaders not to sacrifice the state for political goals in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

“I have great respect for Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” Bugti said in a message on social media, adding that their personal relationship was built on respect and that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) president had political knowledge and expertise.

However, he said, the comparisons between the administrations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan should be made keeping in view the ground realities, security problems and continuing counterterrorism operations in both the provinces.

Bugti said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party had also been the victims of terrorist assaults and hoped that the JUI-F president would take into account the state’s efforts against terrorism and the sacrifices of the security personnel while speaking on the sensitive national issue.

It is 19th anniversary of Karsaz tragedy however the agony of the unfortunate incident is still fresh today when Pakistan commemorates the October 18, 2007 attack that killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds.

Two blasts rocked a welcome parade for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto near Karsaz in Karachi, in a tragedy. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan after years of self-imposed exile and thousands of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers and supporters had assembled to greet their leader and to celebrate her return.

The procession started from Karachi Airport and took several hours to reach Karsaz due to huge throng. The fun and political thrill was suddenly converted into terror when a pair of bombs rocked the parade, causing wreckage and mayhem all around.

The blasts left injured people lying, waiting for help, others frantically searching for lost family. Ambulances evacuated the casualties to hospitals. Rescue workers and volunteers worked to assist the injured.

The incident claimed the lives of more than 150 people, injured hundreds more, and left countless families in mourning for their lost loved ones. The tragedy is one of the darkest chapters in Pakistan’s political history.

Every year on October 18, tributes are made to the victims at the Martyrs’ Memorial where flowers are put and Fateha is offered for those who lost their lives.

The Karsaz tragedy was not a terrorist strike but a tragic episode in Pakistan’s political history, Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed stated. It had cost the lives of those connected to the democratic struggle, and had left a permanent scar on their families and the political community, he said.

Sadia Javed, spokesman for the Sindh government, said the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the Karsaz tragedy can never be forgotten. She stressed the enduring relevance of the occurrence and the importance of remembering the victims and their sacrifices.

Nineteen years later, the Karsaz tragedy continues to serve as a grim reminder of the human toll of political violence and the everlasting pain of families who lost their loved ones.

State Minister Talal Chaudhry said governor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was for a brief time and the measure was taken to fight terrorism and efforts will be made to restore the political establishment of the province as soon as possible.

He stated Maulana Fazlur Rehman would not be granted a share in the government set up of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), alleging that he had treated the province as “booty” since the end of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

Chaudhry said Fazlur Rehman was wanting a part in the provincial structure after PTI lost control. He emphasized that the current setup in KP was not designed to allocate power or posts to political individuals.

The minister also questioned the need to declare an emergency in the province for extracting minerals, saying such steps were not required.

Chaudhry said political opponents could criticize the government on security issues but they should not be seen siding with terrorists.

He said the competent institutions in Pakistan have the responsibility to deal with such individuals engaging in such activities.