Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf arrives in Quetta

QUETTA: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf reached Quetta as members of Hazara community continued their protest at Alamdar road for the third consecutive day along with coffins of those who lost their lives in the bloodiest bombings in years, Geo News reported Sunday.

According to reports, crucial decisions are likely to be taken with regard to Quetta as the protesters have refused to bury over 80 dead until their demands are met.

The PM is expected to hold negotiations with the representatives of the protesters who called on the government to call in army as the provincial government had failed in protecting their lives.

Sources said that the premier would meet Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi and would fly to Karachi to discuss the situation with President Asif Ali Zardari.

The sources said that the prime minister would also attend the sit-in after receiving security clearance.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had declared that the provincial government had lost constitutional and moral authority to rule. The apex court is all set to resume hearing Balochistan law and order case on Jan 14.

The sources added that the federal government might hand over the Quetta city to the army under article 232 of the Constitution.