Incidents of Burning Machinery Over Refusal to Pay Extortion, and Travel from One District to Another Impossible; Redressal of Victims Absent: Displacement of People from Balochistan Has Begun, Border Closures Have Pushed Youth Against the Wall: Maulana Wasey and Zamrak Achakzai

They expressed these views while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the central, divisional, and district office-bearers of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association at a local hotel in Quetta.

The ceremony was also addressed by President of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association Mir Abdul Salam Lango, Chairman Malik Abdul Ghaffar Mando Khel, General Secretary Malik Mujeebullah Mehtarzai, Deputy General Secretary Salahuddin Kabzai, Vice Chairman Mir Shakeel Lehri, Nawabzada Dara Khan Jogezai, Haji Qadeer Qureshi, Isa Roshan, Shah Baran Kakar, Sardarzada Maqbool Ahmed Lango, and others. A large number of office-bearers and contractors of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association from across Balochistan participated in the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Ameer of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Senator Maulana Abdul Wasey said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is a party of principles, and resolving the problems of contractors is the government’s responsibility. He said the government has imposed restrictions on ideological parties and various associations; in such a situation, how will people with political and social awareness come forward?

Maulana Abdul Wasey said that certain elements do not want to give political parties an opportunity to guide the people. He said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam stands with the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association and will continue to stand with them in the future. He urged the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association to play its role in the development, prosperity, and construction of Balochistan.

Maulana Abdul Wasey said that no effective system for the protection of the people is visible in Balochistan; we will have to take measures for our own protection as well. The process of displacing people from their ancestral areas in Balochistan has begun, orchards are being cut down, and such actions will not improve the situation.

He stressed that the current situation in Balochistan and the problems faced by the people need to be taken seriously; otherwise, the situation could become more complicated.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony, central leader of Pakistan Peoples Party and Senior Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mir Sadiq Umrani said that incidents of terrorism are occurring in Balochistan, which are extremely worrying. He said that contractors and other individuals are called at night and asked for extortion; in case of refusal to pay, contractors’ machinery is set on fire, which affects the business community and development work. Mir Sadiq Umrani said that cooperation between the people and state institutions is essential for the elimination of terrorism; eliminating terrorism is our collective responsibility and fundamental duty, and the people should cooperate with state institutions.

General Secretary of Muslim League (N) Balochistan and Member of National Assembly Jamal Shah Kakar said that on behalf of Muslim League (N), he congratulates the newly elected office-bearers of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association. He said that the demands presented by the association’s leaders should be given to us in writing; we will raise our voice in the National Assembly as well and will meet federal ministers in Islamabad to play our role in resolving the problems faced by contractors. Jamal Shah Kakar said that at present, the oppressed class in the country is politicians, who have no powers; being public representatives, everyone criticizes them.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony, Parliamentary Leader of Awami National Party Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai said that he is grateful to all office-bearers of the association for inviting him to the ceremony. He said that we live in a democratic country with a population of 240 million, and every person may be affiliated with some political party. We all want the problems of the people and Balochistan to be resolved; however, the current situation is not favorable, and every political party has its own manifesto.

Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai said that contractors should not remain limited to their business and earnings alone but should also play their role in the development and prosperity of Balochistan. Merit must be ensured in development projects, because without merit, no work can be completed.

He urged the government to immediately resolve the problems faced by contractors, because unless their problems are resolved, development work cannot move forward effectively.

Engineer Zamrak Achakzai said that Balochistan is a province rich in mineral resources and holds great importance in the region in terms of natural resources. By utilizing the province’s resources, the economy of the country, including Balochistan, can be strengthened.

Expressing concern over the law and order situation in Balochistan, he said that conditions are so bad that traveling from one district to another has become difficult. Contractors’ machinery is being set on fire, and no effective system for redressal of victims is visible.

He said that the closure of all borders and limited employment opportunities have increased the problems of the people, especially the youth. Due to the lack of employment opportunities, young people are being forced to adopt various paths in unfavorable circumstances.

Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai said that for peace, employment, merit, and the development process in Balochistan, the government, political parties, the business community, and the people must all play their role together.

Member of Provincial Assembly of Muslim League (N) Zark Khan Mando Khel, congratulating the newly elected office-bearers of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association, said that his doors are open 24 hours for the contractor community and the public. He said that he himself belongs to a family associated with contracting; he is well aware of the problems of contractors and will continue to play his role in their resolution.

ANP leader Malik Aman Khan Kakar, congratulating the newly elected office-bearers of the All Balochistan Government Contractors Association, said that ANP assures contractors of all kinds of cooperation. He said that contractors should also work on merit and play their role in eliminating bribery and corruption.