Ali Hamza
QUETTA: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has announced a three-day Pashtun Jirga in Quetta from August 29 to 31, along with a nationwide political movement on August 5 to demand the release of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Achakzai said the proposed Pashtun Jirga would bring together people to discuss the political, security and administrative challenges facing Pashtun-majority areas.
He said the jirga would particularly address the ongoing division of districts in Balochistan, warning that Pashtun areas should not be divided without taking the people into confidence. He announced that the issue would be formally discussed at the upcoming jirga and that the concerns of the people would be presented before the public.
Achakzai further announced that a larger Pashtun Jirga would be convened in September or October to discuss broader political and regional issues affecting the Pashtun population.
Turning to national politics, the opposition leader announced that a countrywide movement would be launched on August 5, coinciding with the completion of three years of Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
Achakzai said the movement would be held across Pakistan and would focus on demanding Imran Khan’s release. He urged political forces and the public to join the movement, describing the country’s political situation as a matter of serious concern.
The announcement comes amid continued political tensions in Pakistan, with the opposition raising concerns over the political and constitutional situation in the country.
Achakzai also expressed serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan and the wider Pashtun belt. He said people were facing insecurity, while incidents of violence, attacks on vehicles and the killing of workers had created fear among the public.
He questioned why no relevant officials had resigned following major incidents in the province and criticized the authorities over what he described as a lack of accountability.
The opposition leader also raised concerns over alleged land allotments in Pashtun areas, saying that the people would not accept recent allocations. He maintained that the people had the right to protect their land and interests.
He also highlighted alleged extortion from drivers travelling on national highways and complained about high airline fares, saying ordinary citizens were facing increasing difficulties.
Achakzai strongly condemned violence against the Kashmiri people and called for solidarity with them.
The Pashtun Jirga scheduled for August 29–31 in Quetta and the nationwide movement announced for August 5 in support of Imran Khan’s release are expected to remain key developments in Pakistan’s political landscape in the coming weeks.
