Stop Harassing Pashtun and Baloch Traders in Karachi by Labeling Them Afghan Refugees: Hidayat-ur-Rehman
GWADAR: Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Emir and Balochistan Assembly member Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch has demanded an immediate end to the alleged harassment and blackmailing of Pashtun and Baloch traders in Karachi on the pretext of identifying them as Afghan refugees.
Addressing meetings and events with various delegations in Gwadar, Hidayat-ur-Rehman called for all major national highways in Balochistan, including the Quetta-Karachi route, to be secured. He also demanded immediate action over alleged extortion, looting and mistreatment of Balochistan’s transporters by Sindh Police on the Sukkur route.
He alleged that Pashtun and Baloch traders, hotel owners, young workers and other businesspeople in Karachi were being subjected to harassment, alleged looting and discrimination, including being deprived of cash and declared Afghan refugees on the basis of demands for identity documents.
He said such practices must stop immediately, stressing that discrimination against any Pakistani citizen on the basis of ethnicity, language, appearance or regional identity was unacceptable.
The JI leader said the people of Balochistan had been deprived of peace, basic rights, development and prosperity, and urged state institutions and governments to move beyond announcements and take practical measures to address public grievances.
He called for a broad, organized and collective movement for peace, rights, employment, trade and development in Balochistan. He urged the federal government and influential decision-makers in Islamabad to recognize the seriousness of the situation and take immediate steps to ensure peace, development and basic rights.
Hidayat-ur-Rehman said the closure of border crossings had further worsened the hardships faced by the people. He noted that cross-border trade was closely linked to Balochistan’s economy and the livelihoods of millions of families, and called for a transparent, secure and dignified trading system instead of unnecessary border closures.
He said protecting passengers and transporters from robbery, extortion, unnecessary checking and harassment on national highways was a fundamental responsibility of the government. He called for security on the Quetta-Karachi, Quetta-Sukkur, Quetta-Taftan, Quetta-Chaman and other major highways.
The JI leader also expressed concern over rising corruption, unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, insecurity and crime. He urged the government to use Balochistan’s resources, minerals, coastline, border trade and other sources of revenue for public welfare, education, healthcare, employment and basic services.
He said the people of Balochistan were now demanding security of life and property, peace, dignity, employment and basic rights rather than more promises and declarations.
Hidayat-ur-Rehman maintained that lasting peace could not be achieved without empowering the people of Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan over their resources and ensuring that they received a genuine share of the benefits of development.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan would continue to raise its voice on constitutional rights, transparent governance, elimination of corruption, employment, secure highways, free trade and the people’s rights over provincial resources through constitutional, democratic and peaceful forums.
He urged the federal and provincial governments to adopt a joint strategy to secure highways, promote legal trade, protect traders and transporters, and ensure the fundamental rights of citizens.
