QUETTA: A high-profile press conference was held in Quetta on Sunday where provincial leaders, parliamentarians strongly condemned the brutal killing of a mother-daughter duo in the Noshki district’s Mangel Kali area, terming the incident a "humanity-shattering tragedy."

The victims were identified as Bibi Hanifa, a government employee, and her daughter Bibi Hafsa. According to speakers, the family was previously displaced by floods and had their home rebuilt with the assistance of the Pakistan Army before the attack occurred.

Addressing the media, MPA Mina Majeed Baloch expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating that the victims' only "crime" was living peacefully as ordinary citizens. "This is a heinous face of terrorism. Those who call themselves Baloch cannot claim Balochhood by entering homes and attacking unarmed women," she asserted. She added that the tragedy reflects that militants associated with "Fitna-al-Hindustan" (a term used for India-backed elements) are now targeting not just security forces but innocent civilians, particularly women and children.

MPA Majeed further questioned the silence of international human rights organizations, saying, "Today, the so-called human rights champions are silent. Where are the voices that claim to stand for the oppressed? Why have they not spoken on this incident?" She vowed that the government and security forces are actively conducting operations against these elements and will not allow anyone to sabotage Balochistan's hard-won peace. "We will defeat the enemies of peace in Balochistan," she affirmed.

Echoing similar sentiments, MPA Rahila Hamid Durrani condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, stating, "It is beyond comprehension that such extreme violence can occur in the 21st century. Women are granted immunity even in conventional warfare under religious and international laws." She expressed bewilderment at the direction society is heading and lamented the lack of widespread condemnation from various quarters. "I fail to understand how such acts can achieve any rational objective," she added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola also voiced severe condemnation, emphasizing that women's rights have always been a priority for legislators. "This is an extremely painful incident, and we cannot remain silent. Those involved in the killing of Bibi Hafsa and Bibi Hanifa must be brought to justice," she declared.

The speakers collectively concluded that the attack was not merely the murder of two individuals but an assault on every peace-loving and progressive citizen of the province. They urged civil society to raise their voices against such acts of terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to stand by the victims' families.

The press conference concluded with a unanimous appeal for swift legal action against the perpetrators and a renewed pledge to resist any attempts to undermine the province's peace and ethnic harmony.