POLITICS & POLICY MAKING
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), has called on the United Nations and human rights organizations to take immediate action regarding the "brutal" treatment of PTI workers during their recent protests in Islamabad.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Achakzai condemned what he termed "state violence" against PTI protesters, claiming that a large number of PTI supporters were killed, and hundreds were injured due to the actions of police and security forces. He accused the government of covering up the true extent of the casualties that occurred during the clashes in Islamabad, which took place after roadblocks were imposed to prevent PTI workers from marching to the capital.
Achakzai, who also leads the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Aaian Pakistan, rejected the government’s claims that PTI supporters had resorted to violence. He called for an independent inquiry into the excessive use of force against peaceful protesters and demanded accountability for those responsible.
Further, he called for the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the prime minister, the interior minister, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), holding them accountable for the alleged brutality that took place during the protests.
Speaking on the legal battles faced by Imran Khan, the PTI founding chairman, Achakzai criticized the government for filing what he referred to as politically motivated cases against Khan. He called for Khan and all other political prisoners to be released immediately.
Achakzai also addressed a question about the Balochistan Assembly’s resolution condemning PTI. He asserted that restrictions on political parties have never succeeded in stifling their politics, pointing out that similar tactics had failed in the past and would continue to do so. He added that the truth of the February 8 elections, where allegations of vote-buying surfaced, should not be ignored.
The PkMAP leader expressed deep concern over the recent kidnapping of a 10-year-old boy in Quetta on November 15, who remains missing, and criticized state institutions for mobilizing their forces against political activists while failing to take action against criminal gangs responsible for violence in districts like Rahrah Sham, Duki, Musakhail, and Khurram.
Lastly, Achakzai criticized the passage of the 26th Amendment, accusing the PPP and JUI-F of distorting the constitutional framework that had been mutually agreed upon, and urged for a return to a fair and just system of governance.