Pakistan Has Become a “Prison for Nationalities,” Says Mahmood Khan Achakzai in National Assembly Speech

Islamabad: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and Chairman of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, on Tuesday launched a strong criticism of the government during his address in the National Assembly, saying that “Pakistan has become a prison for nationalities.”

Speaking on the floor of the House, Achakzai alleged that the constitutional order had been violated and claimed that democratic norms were being undermined. He said different ethnic groups including Pashtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, and Seraikis were being denied their rights, adding that “even Kashmiri identity is now being suppressed.”

He further stated that people cannot be controlled through force, and criticized the handling of political and legal matters, claiming that harsh sentences were being given in various cases. He also made reference to political prisoners and questioned recent judicial and parliamentary decisions.

Achakzai said that resources of provinces, particularly Balochistan, were being controlled without granting due rights to local populations. He demanded that the federal government engage with representatives of Baloch, Sindhi, and Pashtun communities regarding their rights over natural resources.

Referring to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, he expressed regret over his imprisonment, questioning what wrongdoing he had committed.

During the speech, parts of Achakzai’s remarks were reportedly censored on state television, and the live web stream was also disrupted shortly after his address began.

The opposition leader urged political leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to strengthen parliamentary democracy and ensure equal rights for all federating units, saying the National Assembly should act as the true “power center” of the country.