PkMAP Demands Equal Rights for Federal Levies, Warns of Protest if Promises Not Fulfilled

Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Central General Secretary Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal has demanded an end to discriminatory treatment against the Federal Levies, stating that providing pensions and benefits after their merger is the constitutional responsibility of the provincial government.

Leading a PkMAP delegation, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal visited the protest camp of the Federal Levies and expressed full solidarity with their demands. The delegation included Provincial General Secretary Kabir Afghan, Provincial Deputy Secretary Soorat Khan Kakar, Quetta District Office Secretary Naseebullah Niazi, and Abdullah Khan.

Addressing the protesters, Ziaratwal said that after the merger of Federal Levies into the provincial Levies force, safeguarding their pensions, gratuity, and other benefits is a legal and constitutional obligation of the provincial government. However, despite the merger, Federal Levies are still facing discriminatory treatment, which he termed unacceptable.

He said that Federal Levies have historically represented the federation since the British Balochistan era and were provided salaries and benefits by the federal government. After the merger, they are performing the same duties, but denial of pensions and lawful rights is beyond comprehension.

The PkMAP leader demanded that, in accordance with the Levies Act, Federal Levies be granted all benefits, pensions, gratuity, and allowances at par with provincial Levies, and that a notification in this regard be issued immediately.

He made it clear that Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party fully supports all legitimate and lawful demands of the Federal Levies and warned that if the government fails to honor its commitments, the party will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Federal Levies in a protest movement.