QUETTA: Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai has underscored the significance of upholding constitutional principles, stressing that his party will align with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as long as he adheres to the supremacy of the Constitution, sovereignty of parliament and a federation with autonomous units.

Addressing a public gathering in Loralai, Mr Achakzai regretted the global imbalance in resource distribution and said Pakistan faced a similar issue. He said the challenge lies not only in concentration of resources in the hands of a few elites, but also in the imbalanced allocation among different regions in the country.

The PkMAP chief pointed out the double challenge faced by Pakhtuns who, despite being endowed with natural resources, lack control and autonomy to exploit them for their well-being. Consequently, they are compelled to seek employment in other parts of the country, he added.

Mr Achakzai bemoaned the loss of livelihood opportunities, especially in the form of loss of labour market, for Pakhtuns due to racial profiling, particularly in the aftermath of the so-called war on terror. He noted that this profiling has made them vulnerable, jeopardizing their lives, honour and property.

The PkMAP chief argued that such treatment is undeserved given the egalitarian nature of Pahhtun society, a characteristic he attributes to a civilised community. He also highlighted their hospitable traits as evidence of the societal ethos and the legacy of their glorious past.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2023