Angry Pakistani Shiites refuse to bury dead in bombings
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QUETTA, Pakistan (AFP) - Shiite families refusing to bury their dead after twin bombings in Pakistan's troubled south-western city of Quetta vowed to continue their sit-in protest on Saturday until the army takes over security.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered on the main road near the snooker hall that was the scene of Thursday's twin suicide attacks, alongside more than 60 coffins carrying the victims' shrouded bodies, senior administration official Hashim Ghilzai said.
The refusal to bury the bodies is an extreme position in Islamic society where the dead are normally buried the same or next day, but families say they will not leave until authorities agree to put the security and administration of the city under army control.
"The government machinery has failed, there is no protection for people in Quetta," local Shiite party official Hashim Mausawi said.
