Pakhtun-Baloch belt faces turmoil, warns Achakzai

Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has expressed deep concern over the region's current state, especially the Pakhtun-Baloch belt, amid the shifting international political order and conflicting interests of world powers.

During a party event in Ziarat, Achakzai emphasized the critical need for extraordinary vigilance from all political forces, including Pakistan's security establishment. He warned that there is little room for mistakes and urged for a unified effort to address the challenges at hand.

The chairman lamented the region's history of suffering due to the rivalries and proxy wars between world powers, with Afghanistan being deeply affected for over four decades. The ongoing bloodshed on both sides of the Durand Line has left a lasting impact.

Achakzai underscored the importance of a collective approach by all political forces, stressing that no single force or ethnicity can avert the looming storm.

He expressed hope in the diplomatic efforts of China and viewed the thaw between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a silver lining, potentially stabilizing not only the Middle East but also the broader region.

He suggested that Afghanistan, with China's assistance, should seek the support of the General Secretary of the United Nations to convene a special Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. Such a meeting could garner world powers' guarantee for ensuring Afghanistan's integrity and independence.

Achakzai called for a united and inclusive effort to address the region's challenges and pursue diplomatic solutions that would lead to a more stable and secure future for all involved.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2023.