Armed Gangs Have Established a State Within the State; Open Extortion and Brutal Violence Against Poor Drivers: Pashtunkhwa MAP
Thuggery of Private Militias Under State Patronage; National Highway Is No One's Personal Property; Illegal Camp at Mizai Adda Should Be Shut Down
Chaman (Daily Qudrat Quetta): In a statement issued by the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (Pashtunkhwa MAP) District Chaman, while terming as inhumane the open extortion from poor truck drivers on the Chaman-Quetta highway at Mizai Adda, the beating upon refusal or resistance, the stopping of goods trucks, the smashing of their windows, the assault on drivers and transporters, and the worst violence against them, it was said that armed gangs have established a state within the state and are committing serious crimes through extra-constitutional and illegal actions.
Under full state patronage, armed gangs and private militia gunmen, hiding their identities, openly stop vehicles on public routes and allegedly demand extortion from them. This chain must now be stopped. A highly regrettable sequence continues at Mizai Adda between Chaman and Quetta. There, some people who claim to be influential, armed, stand on the highway day and night, forcibly stop every passing truck driver, collect money from them without any justification, and upon refusal, subject them to violence and humiliate them.
A poor truck driver who travels thousands of kilometers in extreme heat and cold to feed himself and his children—robbing him like this along the way is neither humanity nor in accordance with Pashtun traditions. This is a national highway, not anyone’s personal property.
In the statement, there is a strong appeal to the DC Qila Abdullah, Assistant Commissioner Chaman, SP, and FC authorities that the illegal extortion camp established at Mizai Adda be immediately shut down, and legal action be taken against those involved. The lives and property of all drivers traveling on the Chaman-Quetta highway should be ensured protection. Solid, effective, and result-oriented measures should be taken for the protection of the lives, property, honor, and dignity of all, and especially our truck driver brothers, so that this voice reaches the higher authorities and this oppression can be stopped.
