Opposition accuses govt of arresting MPAs

Rally participants outside CM House try to force their way into red zone

QUETTA:  

The Joint Opposition Parties on Wednesday staged a rally and sit-in outside Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) House, alleging the incumbent government for neglecting opposition members while finalising the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for 2020-21.

They chanted slogans against the provincial government over what they called its flawed policies and preparations for next year’s financial budget.

“Current government didn’t take us into confidence while preparing PSDP 2020-21 while intervention by government ministers and non-elected officials continued in our constituencies,” Opposition Leader Advocate Malik Sikandar said while addressing the united opposition’s protesters.

He further accused the government of committing negligence in curbing the spread of Covid-19 in Balochistan, adding that the contagious virus is rapidly gripping the province as hundreds of people are being infected and deaths occurring regularly but the CM and his cabinet have chosen to look the other way.

Police and Law Enforcement Agencies prevented opposition members from entering the red-zone which caused almost a clash between opposition members and police.

The opposition parties blamed the BAP led government for arresting three opposition members namely Chairman PAC Akhtar Hussain Langove, Malik Naseer Shahwani and Ahmed Nawaz Baloch.

Protesting against the arrest of their party leadership, the Balochistan National Party also staged a protest at Sariab Road and Qumbrani road suspending all kinds of traffic. The protesters burnt used tyres to block roads.

“Following the directives of provincial government, the police exploited the privilege of Balochistan Assembly by arresting sitting MPAs including Chairman Public Accounts Committee,” General Secretary of BNP-Mengal Agha Khalid said, adding that the police also snatched their cell phones preventing them from contacting their party leadership.

He warned that party workers would expand their protest across Balochistan against the incompetent provincial government.

However, Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani refuted opposition claims of arresting sitting MPAs. “Opposition members were allowed to stage a peaceful sit-in outside CM House.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2020.