Pashtunkhwa NAP Condemns Extortion and Economic Harassment of Traders in Hazarganji, Demands Inquiry

**Quetta:** The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party has strongly condemned recent incidents of alleged economic harassment and extortion targeting traders, particularly in the Hazarganji Market area of Balochistan. In a press release, the party stated that Pashtun traders are reportedly being systematically harassed, with legally owned and tax-paid goods being seized without justification, and extortion demands of millions of rupees being imposed. Traders are often prevented from accessing their own property.

According to the statement, Frontier Corps (FC) personnel are conducting operations without legal justification, written notices, or proper procedures, and confiscated goods are allegedly being quietly transferred or supplied elsewhere—actions the party described as blatant lawlessness, abuse of authority, and exploitation.

The press release cited specific incidents, including the alleged collection of Rs90,000 extortion from a Suzuki vehicle owner at Hazarganji Bypass, and the seizure of goods from four other Suzuki vehicles at Hazarganji Chowrangi on the 24th, reportedly because the owners refused to pay large sums. Reports also indicate that individuals in plain clothes are collecting money from vehicle owners, with FC allegedly carrying out retaliatory actions if demands are not met.

The party called these actions “economic terrorism” and urged the Balochistan government and Ministry of Interior to conduct an immediate and transparent inquiry, provide swift justice to affected traders, take strict legal action against responsible officials, and ensure uninterrupted commercial activity in Hazarganji. The statement warned that failure to protect traders’ businesses would place full responsibility for economic disruption on the relevant government authorities, emphasizing that the state’s primary duty is to safeguard citizens’ lives and property, not obstruct their livelihoods.