Shoring up support: Achakzai to mobilise pro-Nawaz rallies

Criticises PTI, PAT leaders for the sit-ins in Islamabad

QUETTA:

In a bid to shore up support for the government, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai has announced that his party will launch nationwide processions to defend the democratic system in the country.

“My party will stage protests to mobilise people in Balochistan,” Achakzai told a crowded press conference at Quetta Press Club on Sunday.

A large majority of the people is against the ongoing sit-ins staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), he added.

The PkMAP leader, who is a close ally of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government also criticised PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri for what he called was their attempt to derail democracy.

Achakzai said the processions would be peaceful and within the constitutional framework. The PkMAP chief also called for the formation of a joint democratic alliance to defend the country’s Constitution and Parliament.

Addressing a rally on Saturday in Quetta, Achakzai vowed that his party will hold more political gatherings in the coming days. “I would support Imran if his demands were justified and constitutional. But they are not,” he said.

Achakzai said that the current political turmoil has hampered economic growth in the country. “The protest is negatively impacting the economy, while the stock exchange is gradually collapsing,” he said.

“Imran and Qadri are making a mockery of this country,” he said, adding, that Imran wants to attain constitutional status through unconstitutional tactics.

Throwing his weight behind the government, Achakzai said “Democracy is the only solution to all issues in Pakistan. We will not let anyone insult the Constitution.”

Responding to a question regarding IDPs in North Waziristan, Achakzai said it is sad that their houses were destroyed. “The devastation of houses is the worst thing to happen in Pashtun culture,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.