PkMAP Demands Balochistan CM’s Resignation After Deadly Attack on Judges in Mastung

QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mastung that claimed the lives of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard, while injuring Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and another person, calling the incident clear evidence of the provincial government’s failure to maintain law and order.

In a statement issued by its provincial secretariat, the party alleged that terrorism, extortion, and fear have been spreading across Pashtun-majority areas over the past three months through proxy groups, armed gangs, and so-called “death squads.” It claimed that incidents in Hanna Urak, Ziarat, Harnai, Duki, and Sanjavi reflected a continuing pattern of violence.

PkMAP appealed to all political, democratic, and nationalist parties and organizations to unite against what it described as an imposed security situation and to take a firm stand for the protection of the people.

The party said the recent attacks on passenger coaches and transport vehicles along the Quetta–Karachi Highway demonstrated the government’s inability to protect citizens. It argued that if judicial officers are not safe, there can be no assurance of security for ordinary citizens, government employees, traders, labourers, students, or travellers.

The statement further criticized the government’s claims of maintaining peace and order, saying that despite numerous checkpoints, heavy deployment of security forces, and substantial security spending, highways remain unsafe, markets are deserted, businesses are suffering, and employment opportunities are shrinking.

PkMAP also criticized a recent statement attributed to the Federal Interior Minister, in which the public was allegedly advised to ensure their own safety. The party questioned the purpose of allocating billions of rupees annually to security institutions if the state is unable to protect its citizens, adding that the Pashtun population is bearing the greatest burden of the deteriorating security situation.

The party demanded the immediate resignation of the Balochistan Chief Minister, alleging that he had failed to fulfill his constitutional and administrative responsibilities. It also called for a transparent investigation into the Mastung attack, strict punishment for those responsible, and urgent action against kidnapping, extortion, and armed robbery.

PkMAP concluded by expressing condolences to the families of the martyred Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard and prayed for the speedy recovery of Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and the other injured victims.