QUETTA, March 23: The opposition Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) staged a protest demonstration in front of the Balochistan Assembly against the demolition of houses in Asrel Thal area of Sui, for establishing an army cantonment there, on Monday.
The score of affectees of the area led by JWP senator Amanullah Kanrani and Sardar Naiz Mohammad Barach gathered in front of the Assembly building carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands.
The opposition members drew the attention of the Deputy Speaker Aslam Bhootani - who was presiding over the session - to the protest demonstration, at which the provincial Home Minister Mir Mohammad Shoaib Nausherwani and opposition JWP members Saleem Khosa and Akbar Baloch went outside and met the demonstrators.
The protesting JWP leaders and affectees informed the home minister and opposition members that their houses were demolished by the local administration and over 200 families were evacuated from their lands.
Senator Amanullah Kanrani while speaking on the occasion said that administration had invited objections on the allotment of land for cantonment and fixed April 17 next for payment of compensation, but demolished the houses in the area of February 21.
He claimed that government has evacuated the people of the area without their will and consent, which was a violation of the constitution. He said that Islamabad was establishing army cantonments in the province, and was ignoring the joint resolution of the Balochistan Assembly against new cantonments.
MPA Saleem Khosa said the JWP would fully support the protest of the affected people. Provincial Home Minister, Mir Shoaib Nausherwani said that the government was aware of problems being faced by the people and would take proper steps to resolve them.
Earlier, the parliamentary leader of Jamhoori Watan Party, Haji Jumma Khan Bugti takes up the issue in the requisite session of the Provincial Assembly. He said that he has deposited an adjournment motion in the House regarding evacuation of the people from their own land, but it was disposed off by the Deputy Speaker in his chamber instated of discussing it on the floor of the House.
