Long March to Quetta and Islamabad Planned for Pashtun Rights, Says Khushal Khan Kakaar
SHERANI: Chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party and Member of the National Assembly Khushal Khan Kakaar has announced that a long march towards Quetta and Islamabad will be launched to secure the rights of the Pashtun people.
Addressing a public gathering at the district conference of Sherani, he said that Pashtuns are facing serious political, economic, and social injustices on their own land, including alleged discrimination, resource exploitation, unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.
He claimed that issues such as improper allocations, looting of national resources, terrorism, interference in Afghanistan, and deprivation in government jobs, budget distribution, and identity documentation have created severe hardship for the Pashtun population.
Khushal Khan Kakaar said that these policies have resulted in rising poverty, unemployment, forced displacement, and worsening law and order in Pashtun-majority areas. He also raised concerns over alleged exploitation of mineral and natural resources, including rare earth minerals, which he said belong first and foremost to the local population.
He questioned the origins and consequences of terrorism in the region, saying that if militants were a threat, their presence in the area must be investigated, and asked why ordinary Pashtun citizens are bearing the burden of counter-terrorism operations.
The PkNAP chairman announced that the party will begin consultations with political parties, tribal elders, lawyers, students, youth, intellectuals, and civil society to launch a broad-based public movement for constitutional, political, and economic rights of Pashtuns.
He said that until the fifth death anniversary of Shaheed Usman Khan Kakar, the party will continue public outreach programs, seminars, and consultations across various districts. After that, a major long march will be organized first towards Quetta and later Islamabad to highlight Pashtun demands at the national level.
He emphasized that the movement is not for any individual or party but for the future of the Pashtun nation and coming generations.
Kakaar also expressed solidarity with the Baloch people, saying that Pashtuns have always supported their political and democratic rights, but alleged that discriminatory treatment continues in provincial development projects and resource distribution.
He criticized exclusion of several Pashtun districts from major development initiatives and expressed concern over closure of trade routes such as Chaman, which has affected thousands of livelihoods.
He strongly condemned the killing of a Pashtun youth in Rawalpindi and the deaths of individuals from Sherani in other incidents, demanding justice and immediate arrest of those responsible.
Earlier, the district conference of Sherani was held under the chairmanship of provincial president Nisarullah Khan Ziarat, attended by hundreds of delegates. Party leaders reviewed organizational matters, approved reports, and elected new district officials. Newly elected representatives were sworn in by Chairman Khushal Khan Kakaar, who urged them to work with discipline and commitment to public service.
The conference concluded with a renewed pledge to continue the struggle for national rights, democratic freedoms, resource protection, peace, and social justice for the Pashtun people.
