QUETTA: Opposition lawmakers in the Balochistan Assembly, including National Party president Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) chief Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, termed the Iran petroleum products supply in Makran and other areas “a legitimate business” and complained that authorities were not allowing Iranian oil-laden vehicles on roads.

Presided over by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, the assembly session on Wednesday also saw the HDT chief being removed from the session by sergeant-at-arms for repeatedly ignoring warnings to not speak on a point of order.

The chief of Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) earlier drew attention to the closure of the border with Iran in Makran and other areas.

He claimed that around three million people were linked to Iranian oil business. All of them were jobless due to the border closure, as authorities were not allowing vehicles carrying Iranian oil on roads.

“There is a complete ban on the movement of oil supplying vehicles in the coastal district of Gwadar as well,” he said.

HDT chief removed from the session for violating warnings by Speaker Achakzai

Depriving the youth of their livelihoods would push them towards militancy, the Maulana said, adding that the state should embrace them and allow them to continue Iranian oil supply business. The Iranian border must be reopened, he insisted.

Taking the floor, NP president and ex-chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch questioned whether the oil business was unconstitutional and equal to smuggling. He claimed that the arrangement for Iranian petrol business had been allowed in the past.

Dr Malik then questioned the legality of cannabis and opium cultivation, permitted by the Senate and National Assembly.

Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti responded that research on cannabis benefits had been conducted, but no legislation had been passed.

Referring to the HDT chief’s opinion on joblessness due to restriction on the Iranian petrol, the chief minister termed the business ‘illegal’ and argued that unemployment was also a problem in other districts but questioned why people from Loralai, Dera Bugti, Barkhan, and Jhal Magsi should not have the right to “tokens”.

He suggested that discussions on illegal activities should not be held on the floor of the house.

HDT chief Maulana Hidayatur Rehman pointed out that in such situation where people were jobless, Rs5 billion should be allocated to provide jobs to the youth instead of building a new Balochistan Assembly building.

Speaker Achakzai warned him against repeatedly taking the floor, and when he did not stop and attempted to speak again, the speaker asked the sergeant-at-arms to remove him.

Meanwhile, the opposition and treasury members also staged a walkout from the house to protest the police raid on the residence of Sardar Muhammad Saleh Bhootani, provincial president of the Balochistan Awami Party, in Karachi.

The protesting members demanded action against those involved in the raid.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024