“End This Destruction Where It Began,” Mahmood Khan Achakzai Says, Announces Nationwide Protests
PESHAWAR: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has termed the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a direct attack on the Constitution of Pakistan, announcing a nationwide democratic struggle and protests against the decision.
Addressing a press conference alongside other opposition leaders, Achakzai expressed serious concerns over the prevailing political and constitutional crisis. He called on all sections of society to play their role in protecting the Constitution and upholding democracy.
“End this destruction where it began,” Achakzai said.
He maintained that safeguarding the Constitution was a fundamental national responsibility of every citizen, whether associated with the judiciary, the armed forces, the government or the opposition. He said collective efforts were now necessary to prevent further damage to the rule of law and democratic institutions.
Achakzai announced that instructions were being issued to relevant political parties to launch a formal democratic struggle and protest movement from the following day in districts where they had influence.
He also appealed to civil society, lawyers, students and people from all walks of life to unite on a common platform against what he described as an alleged assault on the Constitution and democracy.
Achakzai Accuses Government of Double Standards Over Balochistan
Criticising what he described as the government’s double standards, Achakzai alleged that the state’s writ was absent in large parts of Balochistan, yet Governor’s Rule had not been imposed there.
“Half of Balochistan is without the state’s writ, but you do not impose Governor’s Rule there because the chief minister is your favourite, and you are equal partners in whatever is being looted there,” he alleged.
He claimed that political considerations were influencing the federal government’s approach towards the two provinces, arguing that the situation in Balochistan was being treated differently because the provincial government allegedly protected the interests of those in power.
Achakzai said such double standards could no longer continue and vowed that all democratic avenues would be pursued to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution.
He urged the government to reconsider its actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that the protection of constitutional rights and democratic institutions required a united response from political parties and civil society.
