QUETTA: The Pashto­onkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) staged a rally in the Duki town of Balochistan to protest the killing of 21 coal miners in an armed attack by militants in the area last week.

A large number of party workers, supporters and coal miners took part in the demonstration, led by the party’s secretary general, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, and Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai.

The protesters marched through various roads in Duki, carrying placards, banners and party flags, while chanting slogans condemning the attack on the miners.

Speaking at the rally, Nawab Jogezai lamented the struggles faced by the Pashtun community, noting that while much of the world is focused on securing prosperity and a future for their children, Pashtuns are still fighting for the basic necessities of life, including safety and survival.

He highlighted the hazardous conditions faced by coal miners, emphasising that the lack of safety measures and worker protections makes coal mining one of the most dangerous professions in the country. He also raised concerns about widespread extortion in the vegetable and fruit orchards of Sanjavi and neighbouring areas despite the presence of security forces.

“The people, who contribute over 75 per cent of their budget to defence, are still forced to pay security fees per tonne for coal,” he said, criticising the current security arran­ge­ments in the region.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2024