Harnai Leaders Allege Extortion and Neglect by Administration, Demand Immediate Action

Harnai: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party held an Iftar gathering in Harnai, attended by hundreds of party workers and local dignitaries. After the event, a major assembly was conducted under the chairmanship of party’s central general secretary, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, with addresses from provincial president Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan, provincial deputy secretary Sardar Amjad Khan Tarin, district Pishin president Omar Khan Tarin, and Harnai leaders Malik Amo Jan Aka and Malik Taimur Shah.

Speakers expressed deep concern over the widening Gulf conflict and urged the United Nations and the permanent members of the Security Council to take immediate steps to halt the war. They also called on political parties and pro-democracy citizens in Pakistan and Afghanistan to pursue negotiations to resolve disputes peacefully.

Local leaders highlighted severe challenges faced by Harnai residents, including deprivation of basic facilities, road closures, insecurity, extortion, lawlessness, unscheduled power outages, and other hardships. They alleged that the district administration and Frontier Corps (FC) are acting against public interest, protecting criminals and anti-social elements.

According to the speakers, coal mine contractors are forced to pay extortion to the Balochistan Liberation Army through banks on Jinnah Road, Quetta, with tacit support from government authorities. They demanded that the provincial government, Chief Secretary, IG FC, and other relevant authorities immediately stop extortion, provide protection to citizens, and reopen Harnai-Sanjawi Road for trucks and transportation.

Officials from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, National Highway Authority, and railway department were urged to resume operations on the Harnai railway line and key road projects. Despite approved budgets—24 billion PKR for Harnai-Sanjawi Road, 20 billion PKR for Harnai-Sibi Road, and 2.2 billion PKR for railway repairs—construction and maintenance have been delayed, leaving locals deprived of essential services.

The assembly criticized the misuse of power by officials, claiming that the deputy commissioner is acting on behalf of a private associate of a local MPA, forcibly collecting extortion from government employees. Speakers strongly condemned the continued corruption and exploitation, while also expressing gratitude to the party for organizing a well-managed Iftar gathering.