PkMAP Condemns ‘Illegal Allotment and State Occupation’ of Ancestral Lands in Quetta

QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) has strongly condemned what it described as illegal allotment and state occupation of ancestral lands belonging to local residents of Quetta, demanding immediate cancellation of such measures.

In a press release issued from the party’s provincial secretariat, PkMAP called for the annulment of what it termed unlawful allotments and settlements on hereditary lands and urged authorities to end what it described as unjust state possession. The party stressed that the ownership and sovereignty rights of local people must be recognized and protected.

According to the statement, in areas such as Nohisar and Ghabarg, lands belonging to the Kakar Bazai tribe are allegedly being brought under renewed state control. Similarly, it claimed that plans are being made to take possession of lands in Sariab/Samungli associated with the Kasi tribe and in Hanna Urak linked to the Yasinzai tribe.

The party asserted that it would not allow any such actions and would pursue all democratic means of protest with the support of the local population.

PkMAP further stated that historically Quetta has been the collective property of the Kasi, Yasinzai, Bazai, and Durrani tribes, who it said are the rightful owners of the region’s mountains and lands. The statement alleged that the government is allotting land in the names of influential individuals and carrying out what it called illegal settlements, depriving locals of their ancestral property.

The party maintained that the “imposed government,” as it termed it, has no authority to transfer public lands against the will of the people and described such actions as unconstitutional and unlawful. It also alleged that across the province, particularly in Pashtun-majority districts, the government is occupying vast tracts of land, forests, and other resources.

The statement concluded by warning that the public would not accept occupation of tribal lands under any controversial notification and said responsibility for any resulting situation would lie with the government.