Political parties launch Balochistan protest

All-party confab in Quetta schedules complete shutdown on November 19 to demand urgent relief

QUETTA:

Leaders of major political parties in Balochistan on Friday resolved to give practical shape to a joint political and democratic struggle, announcing a complete shutter-down across the province on 19 November accompanied by protest demonstrations at every district headquarters. A provincial leadership meeting will follow on 26 November to finalise the future course of action, while an all-parties conference is scheduled for the first week of December to place the province's urgent problems before the national leadership.

The decisions emerged from an all-parties conference convened by the Awami National Party (ANP) at Quetta Press Club under the chairmanship of provincial president Asghar Khan Achakzai. Among those present were National Party secretary-general and former senator Kabir Muhammad Shahi, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) provincial senior vice-amir Maulvi Kamaluddin, Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party provincial president Nasrullah Khan Ziare, Balochistan National Party central labour secretary Musa Baloch, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Nazariati amir Maulana Abdul Qadir Luni, Hazara Democratic Party central secretary-general Ahmed Ali Kohzad, National Democratic Movement provincial general secretary Engineer Amal Khan Naseer, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Advocate Abdul Hakim, Jamaat-e-Islami deputy secretary Abdul Hameed Mansoori and Central Association of Traders leader Rahim Kakar.

In a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the conference, the parties described the overall situation in Balochistan as extremely serious, alarming and unacceptable. They said the province is confronting multi-dimensional crises that have made life unbearable for ordinary citizens. Continuing deterioration of law and order, terrorism, extremism, the activities of armed groups, target killings, kidnapping for ransom, difficulties faced by transporters and passengers on national highways, the unchecked plunder of national resources, the unresolved issue of missing persons, unemployment and economic decline have collectively placed the province's future in grave peril.

The declaration noted that the closure of trade and transit routes with Afghanistan and Iran has paralysed the provincial economy. Rampant inflation, prolonged gas and electricity load-shedding, the petroleum levy and restrictions on urea fertiliser and other essential inputs have severely damaged agriculture, trade, industry and employment opportunities. While the people already suffer from insecurity and a lack of protection, economic restrictions and governmental indifference have multiplied their hardships many times over.

The parties subjected the government's performance to sharp criticism, stating that its failure to protect life and property, maintain peace, defend national resources and revive economic activity is not merely an administrative shortcoming but the reflection of a deep political and governmental crisis. Abandoning the public to fend for itself and shirking governmental responsibilities, they said, is in no way acceptable.