Security Checks on Inter-Provincial Highways Violate Citizens’ Rights, Says Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party

Quetta: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party has strongly criticized what it called the “humiliation and harassment” of passengers under the pretext of security on inter-provincial highways, terming the practice a violation of basic civil rights.
In a press release issued from the party’s provincial secretariat in Quetta, the party said that the treatment of travelers on major routes including Quetta–Dera Ismail Khan, Quetta–Dera Ghazi Khan, Quetta–Chaman, and Quetta–Karachi highways is deeply concerning.
The statement alleged that passengers are frequently removed from vehicles, subjected to unnecessary searches, and forced to wait for hours without justification. It added that such behavior is disrespectful and violates human dignity as well as fundamental citizens’ rights.
The party further said that ongoing disruptions, including protests and security-related roadblocks, are causing severe hardship to passengers, including women, children, patients, students, and transporters who use these highways daily in large numbers.
According to the statement, these conditions are not only increasing public frustration but also eroding trust in state institutions, as it is the responsibility of the state to ensure security and facilitate citizens rather than cause distress.
The party demanded an immediate end to what it called disrespectful practices carried out in the name of security. It urged authorities to eliminate unnecessary checkpoints, stop excessive passenger searches and delays, and ensure that law enforcement personnel maintain a dignified and respectful attitude toward citizens.