Mahmood Khan Achakzai Demands Reopening of Chaman Border, Criticizes Border Restrictions
Quetta/Chaman: Chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), head of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan, and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has demanded the reopening of the Chaman border, saying that if other borders remain open, Chaman should not be closed.
Addressing a large public gathering in Chaman on the third day of Eid, Achakzai said, “Those who speak the language of bullets have open borders, but the Chaman border remains closed.” He insisted that either all borders should be shut down or the Chaman border must be reopened immediately.
He told the participants that the people of Chaman were facing difficult circumstances and promised to stand by them. “If you remain hungry, if your doors are closed, and I do not stand with you, then I am not a Pashtun,” he said, while urging the public to support him in return.
Achakzai criticized the continued closure of the Chaman border while trade routes elsewhere remained operational. He said it was unacceptable that other border points continued business activities while the people of Chaman suffered economic hardship.
The opposition leader also announced plans to organize a “national force,” asking every household to contribute one member. He said the force would peacefully protect national interests and would not engage in abusive behavior.
Speaking about the border fence, Achakzai claimed that the fencing had been installed at the request of the United States and called on supporters to cut the barbed wire, saying he would stand with them.
On the issue of dual nationality, he said millions of Pakistanis hold citizenship of countries such as Canada and Italy, and urged Pashtuns to obtain Afghan identity documents (“Tazkira”) and display them openly.
Discussing Afghanistan and regional affairs, Achakzai warned against interference in Afghanistan’s internal matters, saying that instability in Afghanistan could have serious consequences for neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Iran.
Referring to historical political developments, he said Pashtuns had been divided after the dissolution of the One Unit system, which weakened their collective identity.
In his concluding remarks, Mahmood Khan Achakzai urged people not to place excessive expectations on Pakistani courts and said that people should collectively resolve their own issues through dialogue and unity.
