Hoti lambastes govt for economic woes
Senior Vice President of the Awami National Party Ameer Haider Hoti has said that the country is on the brink of economic, social and administrative catastrophe.
He was addressing a press conference at Quetta Press Club on Sunday on the occasion of his departure from Quetta after his visit to Balochistan.
"All that remains is for the country to survive or for the ruler to save one of the two. But one thing is clear: the long-held desire for a presidential system should not be repeated," Hoti said. ”Because the survival of the country lies in a parliamentary democracy, less developed areas should be given priority in the CPEC.”
Criticising the federal government, Hoti said the PTI-led government has destroyed the economy in the last three years.
"In the last three years, people have been deprived of loans. The rulers used to claim that we have the best plan and people to run the country," he said. "Tell the rulers whether they should be called corrupt or not. They said that after the imposition of new taxes.”
The ANP leader added that the country's economy is not capable of carrying burden.
“The desire for presidential system has been going on for a long time but I want to make it clear that the survival of the country lies in the trans-democratic system. Not only is it our law to do so, people are now being made to disappear for ransom,” Hoti said. "Our party is also affected. It is the responsibility of the rulers to solve the problem of missing persons.”
The senior vice president further said a large number of people in Gwadar, including women and children, were being deprived of their rights.
“If people are not given rights then deprivation will increase. Lack of trust will weaken the federation," he said, adding that the purpose of his visit to Balochistan is to commemorate the death anniversary of Bacha Khan Wali Khan Baba.
"In the severe cold, people attended the Harnai rally. Despite the rain in Harnai, the workers came to pay homage to their elders," he said. "Bacha Khan Baba and Leader of Tehreek-e-Khan Wali Khan fought for independence, peace and development. Wali Khan Baba fought for the supremacy of provincial autonomy and the constitution.”
Central leaders of Awami National Party Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Provincial President Asghar Khan Achakzai, Provincial Minister Zamrak Khan Achakzai, Provincial General Secretary Tri Mabat Kaka, Rashid Khan Nasir, Member Provincial Assembly Shahina Mehtarzai and others were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2022.