——— ‘People of Balochistan more patriotic than us’, Ayub tells lawmakers
———Asserts a fact-finding mission should go to Balochistan
———Asks to form committee to talk to the province’s people
———Qaiser laments Mengal’s resignation from NA, calling it ‘a regrettable development’
ISLAMABAD: The Opposition Grand Alliance – Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) – has called for an All Parties Conference (APC) to address the worsening security situation in Balochistan, expressing deep concern over the province’s current state of affairs.
During a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated, “Our alliance is seriously concerned about the situation in Balochistan. We will meet with the National Assembly speaker and urge him to take action, including convening an APC on Balochistan.”
Qaiser emphasised the need to address the grievances of “our estranged Baloch brothers,” noting that despite raising the issue in the assembly, the government has shown little interest. He also lamented Akhtar Mengal’s resignation from the National Assembly, calling it “a regrettable development.”
He stressed the importance of a serious discussion on Balochistan, warning, “Our enemies are exploit-ing this situation. We are planning nationwide protests and rallies, including a day of countrywide demonstrations.”
Latif Khosa criticised the government’s economic policies and attempts to amend the Constitution, which he said have caused widespread public concern. “They don’t have the two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution, so they should stop this talk,” Khosa said.
Khosa also commented on the Mubarak Sani case, calling the verdict a “grave mistake” and explaining that it forced them to postpone their rally. “But our rally on September 8 is final,” he said, adding that the Pakistani people will show their support for Imran Khan.
A committee, headed by Sahibzada Hamid Raza and including Khosa, has been formed to coordinate the APC. “We want to resolve these issues through an APC,” Khosa said, adding that the opposition aims to save Pakistan and uphold the rule of law.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai echoed Khosa’s sentiments, calling it a positive sign that all parties believe in the supremacy of the Constitution. He announced the formation of a committee that will start working immediately to arrange the APC.
“If our demands are not met, we will launch nationwide protests,” Achakzai warned, but added that if the APC is held, “we won’t need to resort to protests.” He also assigned Asad Qaiser the task of meet-ing with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Achakzai criticised the indifference towards the crisis in Balochistan, saying, “We are laughing while Balochistan burns. All parties must agree to remove the entrenched elite families.”
Raoof Hasan reiterated that their rally would go ahead as planned, regardless of any obstacles posed by the administration. “Hamid Raza will lead the rally,” Hassan said, adding that the APC will also ad-dress other national issues. He called Akhtar Mengal’s resignation “alarming” and “disappointing,” not-ing that another delegation will meet Mengal in an effort to resolve the matter within parliament. –Agencies
