QUETTA: The provincial assembly on Monday adopted a joint resolution against the alleged harassment of ‘people of Balochistan’, mainly Pashtun traders from Pishin, Chaman, Khanozai, Zhob, Muslim Bagh, Loralai, and Quetta who frequently travel to Karachi and other parts of Sindh for business.

The treasury and opposition benches expressed their serious concern over the situation and called for immediate engagement with the Sindh government to ensure the protection of all people of Balochistan.

JUI-F lawmaker Asghar Tareen moved the resolution in the Balochistan Assembly, which met here an hour behind the schedule on Monday, with Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai in the chair.

Mr Tareen alleged that Sindh police and land mafia groups in Karachi had been “unnecessarily harassing” these businessmen in an attempt to force them to shut down their establishments and return to Balochistan. Such actions were causing economic losses and undermining interprovincial harmony and national unity, he added.

Joint resolution adopted; committee formed to take up matter with Sindh govt

He urged the Bugti government to immediately approach the Sindh government to immediately stop injustices and ensure safety for Pashtuns and other residents of Balochistan working in Sindh.

Speaking on the admissibility of the resolution, Mr Tareen said that 90pc of Karachi’s tea and food hotels were run by Pashtuns from Balochistan. He stressed that despite PPP governing both Sindh and Balochistan, Pashtuns were being arrested, harassed, and subjected to raids where legally purchased goods were falsely labeled as smuggled items. Many were detained without FIRs, he added.

He requested that a committee of government and opposition members be formed to negotiate with the Sindh government.

Senior minister and PPP parliamentary leader Mir Sadiq Umrani responded that PPP had always provided employment opportunities without discrimination and that recent actions were taken on federal directives against illegal businesses and undocumented Afghan migrants. He assured the House that the Sindh government would be approached and asked Mr Tareen to withdraw his resolution.

Also, Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri said the operations were conducted on federal instructions, not the provincial authorities. He assured the House of his readiness to discuss the matter with President Zardari and the Sindh government.

ANP parliamentary leader Zmarak Khan Achakzai claimed that the harassment of Pashtuns in Karachi was not new and had been ongoing since the 1980s. He insisted that Pashtuns were being unfairly targeted and their businesses forcibly shut down. He also called for a joint committee to engage the Sindh authorities.

Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch demanded that the resolution be expanded to include all people of Balochistan — not only Pashtuns — since citizens from various districts visited Karachi for trade, labor, and medical treatment, where they too faced humiliation.

National Party MPA Khair Jan Baloch added that Baloch traders and laborers were also subjected to harassment in Karachi.

BAP’s Prince Agha Umar Ahmedzai requested that the Speaker turn the resolution into a joint resolution and form a body under his supervision. Parliamentary Secretary Barkat Ali Rind supported the proposal, noting that people from Balochistan were being detained and searched without justification.

PML-N’s Zarak Khan Mandokhail also backed the resolution, saying that legal goods belonging to Balochistan traders were being seized without reason.

JUI-F’s Syed Zafar Agha urged the Speaker to contact his counterpart in the Sindh Assembly and establish a committee.

ANP’s Malik Naeem Bazai said that millions of Pashtuns live in Karachi and many had their businesses forcefully closed. He demanded immediate action.

Responding to the debate, CM Bugti endorsed the formation of a committee to hold talks with the Sindh government on the issue.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2025