Half of Balochistan Has Become a No-Go Area; Non-Political and Non-Local People Imposed; Corruption and a Paralysed System Have Increased Despair Among the People: Abdul Khaliq Hazara

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat): Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) Chairman Abdul Khaliq Hazara has said that in the 2024 general elections, Balochistan was allegedly subjected to seat distribution deals and “parachuters” were made to win, while the representation of Quetta city was handed over to individuals who have no connection with the relevant areas. Until the people’s true representatives are elected, ending despair in the province is not possible.

In an interview, he said that the representatives elected from Alamdar Road, Mariabad and Hazara Town have no connection with their constituencies, due to which there is a lack of public issues and true representation. According to him, today almost half of Balochistan has become a no-go area, and social civility and traditions in politics have also been damaged. He said that the Hazara Democratic Party was also treated unjustly.

Referring to his previous political responsibilities, Abdul Khaliq Hazara said that during his tenure, more than 900 individuals were provided jobs, and all recruitments were made on merit, rising above colour, race and nationality. He said that he had also made clear on the floor of the Balochistan Assembly that selling a job is like someone selling his mother’s milk. If proof is found that jobs were sold during his tenure, he is ready to quit politics.

He said that political people are answerable to their people, but today the situation is such that, according to him, elements involved in corruption openly admit it and also show arrogance. Some assembly members and corrupt officers allegedly talk of taking a 20 percent commission, while the relevant institutions are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

He said that the system has become paralysed to the extent that the one who should drive a tractor is trying to fly an aeroplane, and the one who flies an aeroplane is attempting to drive a tractor. He said that politics has been made a joke not by nationalist parties but by major national parties.

Abdul Khaliq Hazara, criticising the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleged that they carried out seat distribution deals in the general elections at the signal of their patrons. According to him, the damage that the country’s major political parties have done to democracy and politics has not been done by any other side. Those who raised the slogan of giving respect to the vote damaged the sanctity of the vote the most.

Referring to nationalist leaders like Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Nawab Aslam Raisani, he said that their governments demonstrated performance. If the PML-N and PPP had implemented the Charter of Democracy and the National Action Plan, the country would not be facing the current serious situation today.