Mushrooming Hunger and Political Crisis Risk Unrest if Pashtun Livelihoods Blocked, Says Mahmood Khan Achakzai

Islamabad: Leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and head of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen Pakistan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has warned that blocking livelihoods in Pashtun areas could push people towards rebellion, while those attempting to sideline Imran Khan would be “remembered in history as disgraced figures.”
Speaking in an interview with a private TV channel, Achakzai said that the recent attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel were “open aggression,” adding that military actions were carried out even while negotiations were underway.
He warned against further regional conflicts, citing historical wars in Afghanistan involving Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States, saying the region risks becoming a “graveyard for others as well.”
Achakzai said that if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, it could have global consequences, urging that major powers including the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom should sit together under the UN framework to resolve tensions and regulate nuclear capabilities uniformly.
He stressed that countries possessing nuclear weapons must face equal restrictions, adding that global security cannot be ensured through selective policies.
Turning to domestic politics, Achakzai criticized electoral processes and alleged that parliament has been weakened. He said that public mandates are being ignored and warned that when representative institutions lose authority, the state cannot function properly.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s survival depends on constitutional supremacy, democracy, and respect for all ethnic groups including Pashtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, and Saraikis. He said internal political instability poses a greater threat than external dangers.
On Afghanistan, he proposed a UN-led dialogue involving Pakistan and neighboring countries including China, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to resolve regional disputes through negotiation and mutual respect.
Referring to Imran Khan’s popularity, he said the former prime minister remains the most popular political leader in Pakistan and warned that attempts to “minus Imran Khan” would be remembered negatively in history.
He also questioned restrictions on meeting Imran Khan and called for allowing political dialogue with all leaders.
Achakzai concluded that Pakistan can only progress through democracy, constitutional rule, fair distribution of resources, and respect for the rights of all nationalities, urging political reconciliation instead of confrontation.