Balochistan Facing Rising Extortion, Violence and Land Grabbing, Says ANP Leader Asghar Khan Achakzai
Quetta: Awami National Party (ANP) Balochistan President Asghar Khan Achakzai has said that the province is going through a highly difficult period, with rising incidents of extortion, violence, and insecurity on major highways.
Addressing a press conference along with Central Joint Secretary Rasheed Khan Naser, Provincial General Secretary Mabat Kaka, and others, he said that several political workers have been killed in incidents of unrest, while land grabbing under the guise of property allotments has increased across the province.
He warned that in Pashtun areas of Balochistan, a deliberate attempt is being made to create conditions that could force people towards armed resistance similar to other conflict-driven regions. He added that if the situation does not improve, people may take to the streets, and any responsibility for further bloodshed would lie with “authoritarian forces.”
Asghar Achakzai also expressed concern that citizens and government employees are being denied their right to peaceful protest, citing arrests of workers involved in the Grand Alliance as a clear example.
He said the struggle against oppression and injustice would continue and announced that a joint movement for the resolution of Balochistan’s issues would soon be launched.
