QUETTA: Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai has questioned the lack of accountability of those involved in violence against innocent citizens.

He made these remarks on Saturday While addressing the peace jirga organised by PkMAP in Loralai.

Mr Achakzai, who also heads the opposition alliance, highlighted the ongoing terror attacks in the country.

He criticised the “lack of accountability” from state institutions and the parliament’s “inability” to curb violence.

This, he said, was an “erosion of people’s freedoms under security pretext”.

Mr Achakzai stressed the importance of Pakhtun unity, advocating for a clear and community-driven strategy against challenges.

He decried the “daily” violence faced by coal miners despite the presence of security forces.

While talking about the bomb blast at the Quetta Railway Station, which left dozens dead, he criticised the government’s superficial responses “that failed to address the underlying reasons” of terrorism.

While expressing frustration over the military’s role in politics, he pointed out that corps commanders and other officials were “holding jirgas” on political issues.

This is a violation of the Constitution, which prohibits “the military’s interference in politics”.

He condemned the actions of intelligence agencies that discourage public gatherings and prevent community organisation through jirgas.

Mr Achakzai questioned the effectiveness of intelligence operations, noting that forces seem to be “unaware” of high-profile terrorist attacks that also target them.

He highlighted the targeting of opposition leaders and activists and accused intelligence agencies of surveilling those critical of government policies rather than focusing on genuine threats.

Emphasising Pakhtuns’ peaceful and non-sectarian values, he underscored that their struggle is not along ethnic or religious divides but for “rightful autonomy over their land and resources”.

In his closing remarks, he announced peace jirgas in Zhob and Quetta, reinforcing a call for unity and self-determination amid the ongoing turmoil.

The two-day public peace jirga brought together party leaders, activists, and other stakeholders to discuss the security situation and the struggles of the Pakhtun communities.

Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai presided over the jirga while the party’s secretary general, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, and a large number of tribal elders and political leaders from northern Balochistan attended the jirga.The meeting sought action against those disrupting the peace and called for unity against violence targeting innocent citizens.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2024