Former Senator Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari Khan Raisani Criticizes the Establishment and Zardari’s Role in Exploiting Balochistan’s Resources

Quetta:Senior politician and former Senator Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari Khan Raisani has strongly criticized the role of the establishment and the alleged collaboration with former President Asif Ali Zardari, accusing them of looting the resources of Balochistan. Speaking to the media during a visit to the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, Raisani stated that he had resigned from his party position and Senate membership years ago in protest against this unholy alliance but had refused to compromise.

Raisani emphasized that Balochistan’s issue is not just a class issue, but a national, historical, and economic one. He stated that the people of Balochistan are struggling for their rights and the political parties have, in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, struck a deal over the province’s rights. He accused these deals and the politics of compromise for pushing the country to its current crisis.

He also lamented the lack of freedom of expression in Balochistan, pointing out that the introduction of the PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) by the assembly has legally restricted free speech. Raisani expressed his support for the ongoing protests by journalists against the PECA Act and announced that he would stand alongside them in their struggle to end the stifling atmosphere in the province.

Addressing the issue of public safety, he stated that the people of Balochistan are feeling increasingly insecure as the establishment and certain political forces continue to exploit the province’s resources. He criticized the manipulation of elections, saying that the 2024 elections would lead to fake leadership in Balochistan, creating further chaos.

He reiterated that the issue of Balochistan is not just economic, but it is a national struggle for rights, and political parties must stop compromising the province’s future. He also highlighted the unresolved election fraud case from 2018 in the NA-265 constituency, which remains under trial even after seven years.

In his conversation with the newly-elected officials of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), Raisani congratulated them and expressed hope that they would use their platform for the prosperity of Balochistan and the collective national development of the country.

The President of BUJ, Khalil Ahmed, thanked Raisani for his visit and praised his steadfastness in upholding principles and sacrificing for Balochistan. He also criticized the PECA Act, calling it a “black law” and reaffirmed the ongoing nationwide movement led by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against it.