Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Condemns Asghar Khan Achakzai’s Arrest, Calls It Political Victimisation
QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) has strongly condemned the arrest of Awami National Party (ANP) Balochistan president Asghar Khan Achakzai, describing it as an act of political victimisation aimed at suppressing political opponents and undermining the democratic environment.
In a statement, the party said political differences should be addressed through democratic principles, political dialogue and the public mandate rather than by targeting political leaders through alleged retaliatory actions.
According to the PNAP, reports suggest that the complainant in the case under which Achakzai was arrested has submitted a written statement on stamp paper before a court, reportedly stating that Achakzai was not involved in the murder case concerning the complainant’s son.
The party said the circumstances surrounding the arrest had raised serious questions and concerns among political circles. It added that the matter should not be treated as a routine legal proceeding without considering its possible political background and implications.
Concerns Over Democratic Freedoms
The PNAP said democratic political forces in Pashtunkhwa and Balochistan had consistently struggled for constitutional supremacy, the people’s right to govern, national rights and democratic freedoms.
It maintained that attempts to silence political voices, intimidate political workers and leaders, or restrict political activities had historically weakened democratic processes and undermined public confidence in institutions.
The party said Achakzai’s arrest had reinforced similar concerns and called on the relevant authorities to address them.
It emphasised that treating political differences as a crime and using arrests to pressure political opponents were incompatible with democratic principles. Any action against a political leader, it said, must meet the requirements of transparency, impartiality and justice to prevent the perception of political victimisation.
The party further stressed that actions against political parties and their leaders should also be assessed in the context of their political background and their potential impact on the democratic environment.
Demand for Clarification Over Arrest
The PNAP demanded that the circumstances and motives behind Achakzai’s arrest be clarified and that concerns regarding political victimisation be addressed.
It urged the authorities to ensure that no political leader or worker was targeted because of political differences, adding that political parties must be allowed to carry out their activities freely, raise public concerns and express their political positions without fear.
The party said democracy was not limited to holding elections but also required political freedom, respect for dissent, protection of fundamental human rights and an environment in which elected political representatives could work without intimidation.
According to the statement, political victimisation weakens democratic institutions and promotes mistrust within society.
Call for Unity Among Democratic Forces
The PNAP called on democratic forces, political parties and politically conscious citizens to adopt a principled stance against political victimisation, restrictions on democratic freedoms and attempts to pressure political leaders.
It said protecting democratic values, political tolerance and constitutional rights was essential to strengthening the democratic system in the country.
