National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Monday drew a comparison between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, criticising the government’s move to impose emergency and governor’s rule in the former.
The federal government on Sunday imposed a state of emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and placed the province under governor’s rule, taking note of the “provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the federal cabinet meeting that approved the measure, and said regarding terrorism in KP and Balochistan that “the way common citizens are being martyred, the way police officials and security officials, children and mothers [..] there can be nothing more heart-wrenching”.
Speaking to media outside the Parliament House on Monday, Achakzai claimed that there was no writ of the state in half of Balochistan.
“But you don’t impose it there, because the chief minister there is your favourite,” he alleged.
Achakzai’s claim of a lack of the state writ in half of Balochistan was apparently in connection with the security situation in the province.
Both KP and Balochistan have been facing terrorism, and according to the data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), 199 terrorist attacks were recorded in August across Pakistan, out of which KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks, while Balochistan recorded 89.
‘Assault on democracy’
Continuing his criticism of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, Achakzai said, “This will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of everyone who values Pakistan and democracy to unite against this.”
He said parties in the opposition would be asked to announce a “democratic struggle” against the move from tomorrow in areas where they had influence.
“We will not abuse anyone; we will not fire bullets — we don’t have any — and we will not throw even a stone on anyone.”
He said the move was an “assault on Pakistan’s Constitution and democracy”.
“It is the duty of every Pakistani, whether he is a judge, general, in government or not in government, to resist this.”
Centre’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in KP followed weeks of political tensions, with the PTI intending to march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. The march was led by suspended KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Achakzai said Afridi was just demanding access to and medical treatment for Imran.
He reiterated the demand for access to Imran and assured that the PTI leaders would not disclose the details of their conversation with Imran if meetings were allowed. They would only inform the public about his health condition, he said.
He added that the opposition was still willing to hold negotiations with the government, but would also “continue its struggle against this system”.
“They say that Mehmood doesn’t want to meet. Am I mad? Pakistan is not just the Prime Minister’s House or the speaker’s chamber; Pakistan is bigger than that,” added Achkazai, who has said that he would not hold any meetings with government representatives at the Prime Minister’s House or Office or at the chamber of the NA speaker.
He said he was ready to hold a meeting at anyone’s personal residence.
Achakzai then invited other political parties to attend a planned all-parties conference to discuss how the country should be run.
Gohar to approach PHC
PTI Chairperson Barrister Gohar Khan was also present on the occasion and announced that he would challenge the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in KP in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) tomorrow (Tuesday).
Moreover, a parliamentary party meeting the same day would decide on how to stage a protest in Parliament, he added.
“We will raise our voice at every forum. Our long march and protest are ongoing,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that the party would not accept emergency and governor’s rule in KP.
“Whatever happened on October 11 should not have happened. October 11 will be remembered as a black day in Pakistan’s democratic history,” he said.
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Abbas Nasir also spoke alongside two leaders, voicing his criticism of the government’s Oct 11 move.
“They call themselves the torchbearers of the law and the Constitution. However, they first attacked the Constitution by coming into power through Form-47 and now by signing the orders of imposing emergency against a government that held a two-thirds majority,” he said.
He also drew the Balochistan parallel, saying: “If terrorism and peace were an issue … you should have imposed emergency in Balochistan first.”
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