Quetta-Chaman Highway Handed Over to Criminals and Private Militias; Silence of Government Institutions Is Criminal Negligence: PkMAP

CHAMAN (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chaman district has expressed serious concern and condemnation over the ongoing unrest, extortion, and private checkposts established by private militias on the Quetta-Chaman national highway. In a statement issued by the party’s district secretariat, it was said that the Quetta-Chaman highway, which is an international and trade route, has been completely handed over to anti-social, criminal elements, dangerous suspects, murderers, dacoits, and kidnappers. The statement said that the cycle of extortion and looting has been continuing with great audacity and brazenness for a long period; on the highway, extortion is being forcibly collected from goods trucks and other vehicles, and goods are being forcibly unloaded. Private checkposts have been established — despite the presence of government institutions, private militias and armed gangs have set up private checkposts at various places where peaceful citizens, passersby, and travelers are stopped. The highway is hostage through the open display of weapons and violence; armed individuals, openly displaying weapons, subject drivers to beating, harassment, thrashing, violence, and inhumane and improper treatment, and smash the windows of vehicles. The PkMAP Chaman district said that on this most important highway, nothing by the name of law is visible. The silence of the administration and relevant security institutions is tantamount to criminal negligence. At the end of the statement, a demand was made to the Government of Balochistan, the Chief Secretary, and the IG Police that all illegal private checkposts be immediately eliminated from the Quetta-Chaman highway; indiscriminate action be taken against extortionists and armed gangs; and the protection of the lives and property of travelers and transporters be ensured. If immediate notice is not taken, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party will be forced to launch a full protest movement together with the people.