Staff Reporter:
Quetta: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) held a large public meeting at Ayub Stadium, Quetta, to mark the 52nd death anniversary of Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai. Party chairman and head of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aeen Pakistan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with various political and social leaders, addressed the participants and honoured the democratic and constitutional struggle of the martyred leader.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, in his speech, said that the Constitution is being treated as a ceremonial document rather than the foundation of governance. “If a small village cannot run without agreed rules, how can an entire country function without constitutional order?” he asked. He maintained that any parliament formed through unfair means—whether influence, wealth, or manipulated processes—cannot change the basic spirit of the Constitution.
He claimed that, in an attempt to engineer a majority, pressure and crackdowns were carried out against PTI supporters; families were targeted, activists were mistreated in detention centres, and even their dignity was violated. Despite this, he added, the public still voted for PTI, but instead of counting votes transparently, candidates placed far behind in the race were declared winners, and some were allegedly helped through financial deals.
He further stated that when even then a majority could not be secured, many opposition lawmakers were disqualified through court rulings, and their seats were handed over to what he called an “artificial government.” He questioned how such a parliament could claim to represent the people and remarked that raising these concerns only angers the Speaker.
Achakzai said people had lost faith in the justice system and that it was now necessary to explain to the nation the difference between an authentic parliament and a symbolic one. He said the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aeen Pakistan had chosen to stand firm against oppression because remaining silent in the face of injustice invites divine accountability. “We will not bow before tyranny,” he declared.
He warned that if the true mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—home to over forty million citizens—is undermined and any attempt is made to impose Governor’s Rule, “the public will establish their authority on the streets.”
Leaders from PMAP—including Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, Abdul Rauf Lala, General Secretary Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Provincial President Abdul Qahar Khan—along with PTI Provincial President Dawood Shah Kakar, Advocate Khalid Chaudhry, and Pakistan Bar Council member Ayaz Khan Mandokhail also addressed the gathering.
