Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Holds Protest in Muslim Bagh Against Rising Fuel Prices, Demands Reforms

Muslim Bagh (Daily Qudrat, Quetta): The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) organized a major protest in Muslim Bagh against the continuous and steep increase in petroleum prices, describing it as “economic murder” of the poor. The rally, chaired by Central Secretary and Provincial Senior Vice President Allah Noor, drew large participation from citizens, party workers, and traders. Protesters voiced strong criticism of government economic policies, chanting slogans against what they called “oppressive and anti-people measures.”

Speakers including Sindh Zone Finance Secretary Nizam Kakak, Central Committee member Habibullah, Regional Secretary Rozi Khan, and Central Committee member Latif Kakak, condemned the skyrocketing prices of petrol, diesel, and basic commodities, calling it a deliberate attack on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. They accused the ruling elite of burdening the public with inflation to maintain their own luxury and privileges.

The protesters also highlighted local issues such as unannounced power load-shedding by WAPDA, rising unemployment, and lack of basic facilities, demanding immediate action to end electricity outages.

Regarding the PCM chrome mines, speakers said that after the PCM company, operating since 1950, went bankrupt, local residents suffered massive financial losses. Although a 2012 court ruling ordered that mining leases be allocated to local owners, government negligence and mismanagement have delayed implementation. They warned of a planned scheme by a person named Ain-ul-Haq and others, allegedly in collusion with provincial authorities, to allocate all PCM leases secretly—an act they called illegal and contempt of court.

The PNAP demanded that the original local chrome mine owners be granted leases immediately according to the court order. Failing that, they threatened a widespread and organized protest movement across the region.

Other demands included improving the city’s chaotic traffic system, banning illegal tinted windows in vehicles, and reopening dozens of closed government schools to restore the region’s educational system.

The party concluded by asserting that it would continue to fight vigorously for public rights, justice, and protection of local resources on all available platforms.