Balochistan worse off than K-P, says Achakzai

ISLAMABAD:

Criticizing the federal government for imposing emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) amid the PTI's long march, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai said Balochistan had a stronger case for the imposition of emergency and governor's rule than K-P.

"If governor's rule is imposed in K-P due to the security situation, then the security situation in Balochistan is much worse," Achakzai said. He was addressing a press conference outside Parliament House alongside Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and others.

He claimed that half of Balochistan had become a no-go area for security forces, but no action was being taken against what he described as the exploitation of the province under the incumbent chief minister.

Achakzai's remarks came amid mounting opposition to the federal government's decision to impose emergency and governor's rule in K-P where Imran Khna's PTI had been in power for the last 13 years.

Achakzai, who also heads the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), described Governor's Rule as a major assault on democracy and announced that the alliance would launch peaceful protests in every district from Tuesday, including those where emergency had not been imposed.

He said the opposition would continue its political struggle while keeping the door open to negotiations with the government. He also called for permission to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, offering to submit a written undertaking that the delegation would not disclose details of the meeting.

"I am ready for negotiations for a democratic Pakistan," he said, rejecting claims that he was unwilling to meet the government. He added that he was prepared to meet at various places but not at the Prime Minister's House or the National Assembly speaker's office.

Accusing the government of denying the PTI even the space to express its grievances, Achakzai said the opposition had been raising concerns about the Constitution when emergency and governor's rule were imposed in the province.

He said Article 6 of the Constitution provided for action against those who abrogated or subverted the Constitution, and accused the government of using state power against political opponents.

Achakzai maintained that Pakistan could progress only if Parliament was strengthened and the people's right to vote respected. He alleged that the mandate of millions of voters had been undermined and called on opposition parties to mobilise against what he described as an undemocratic system.

Barrister Gohar Ali KHan, meanwhile, described October 11 as a dark day in the country's democratic history and said the people of K-P rejected the imposition of emergency and governor's rule.

He alleged that the provincial chief minister had been kept in custody and that the government had abruptly changed the administrative machinery in the province despite remaining in contact with the opposition until the last moment.

Gohar demanded the withdrawal of the measures announced on October 11, warning against dividing the public in the name of counter-terrorism. He said the PTI would raise its objections at every available forum and that the party's parliamentary group would meet to determine its future course of action.

"Pakistan's future lies in democracy, and the federation will be strong only when the provinces are strong," he said.

Raja Nasir Abbas also argued that Balochistan was facing a more serious situation and questioned why emergency rule had not been imposed there. He urged political forces to unite with the people against terrorism instead of equating political workers with terrorists.

Earlier, the TTAP leadership met at Parliament House to discuss the political situation, the imposition of emergency in K-P and the future course of action, including the proposed long march.

According to opposition sources, Achakzai urged the PTI and allied parties to continue their political struggle through judicial, parliamentary and public platforms. The leadership also discussed approaching courts to challenge the government's measures.

Despite announcing protests, Achakzai reiterated that the opposition remained willing to negotiate, provided it was allowed access to Imran Khan and the government demonstrated a willingness to address its concerns.