Hussain Zarkoon:
DUKKI: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party held a protest in Dukki Bazaar on Friday, condemning the brutal killing of 21 coal workers in a tragic incident on October 11. The protest was led by Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, the party’s central secretary, who highlighted the lack of safety measures for coal workers in Balochistan.
Nawab Jogezai said it was the responsibility of the Frontier Corps, Police and Levies to protect coal miners from terrorists. Since miner owners have been paying taxes to security forces, therefore, it was their responsibility to protect them, he mentioned.
He stated that while other nations focus on securing their children’s futures, Pashtuns are left struggling for their lives and livelihoods.
Jogezai stressed the hazardous nature of coal mining in the region, emphasizing the unsafe conditions under which workers operate. He urged contractors to ensure that workers receive their due payments without delay so they can return to their families. He also called for increased safety measures to protect the lives of workers in the coal mines.
Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, General Secretary of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, also condemned the killings and criticized the government’s response to the incident. He demanded immediate action and accountability for the tragic loss of life.
Ziaratwal called for new, transparent elections to address the ongoing governance issues and restore order in the province.
Talemand Khan, the Central Secretary Information lamented that despite giving policing powers to the Frontier Corps, incidents of targeted killings, extortions and abductions were rampant in the resource-rich district of the province. He called for an immediate arrest of the culprits behind the tragic killing of coal miners.
The rally concluded with a series of resolutions, including demands for justice for the victims of the October 11 incident and the immediate withdrawal of FIRs filed against protesters. The party also called for the government to prioritize the safety and welfare of coal workers across the region.
The tragic event has led to a halt in coal mining activities in the area, with workers now seeking justice and financial compensation.
