PESHAWAR: Acting Jamaat-i-Islami emir Liaqat Baloch on Monday said Pakistan and Afghanistan should not allow their lands to be used against each other and urged Kabul not to become part of ‘international conspiracies’ against Islamabad.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, he said that both countries should resolve their differences through diplomatic engagement and negotiations, according to a statement.

Mr Baloch questioned why people did not agitate against the imposition of the governor’s rule in the province, saying that the lack of protests had encouraged unpopular steps. He said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers should have taken to the streets when the governor’s rule was imposed, and the provincial government became dysfunctional.

He stressed that protecting the lives and property of citizens must remain the top priority in the province, adding that establishing peace in the violence-hit areas should be the foremost concern.

Baloch says PTI workers should have protested against governor’s rule

Mr Baloch said a wide trust deficit existed among the government, state institutions and the public, which could only be bridged through dialogue rather than use of force.

Describing mineral resources as one of the province’s most serious issues, he demanded recognition of KP’s ownership rights over its mineral wealth and called for complete transparency, adding that all matters concerning the province’s mineral resources should be brought before the public.

Mr Baloch welcomed the decision to hold local government elections, saying that JI would participate in the polls with full strength and demanded that no area of the province be deprived of elected local representatives on the pretext of the security situation.

While speaking about the independent power producers (IPPs) and the petroleum levy, he said JI had postponed its planned protest march on Islamabad at the request of the prime minister.

“During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has demanded a reduction in production costs, measures to improve the economy and the creation of employment opportunities for the people,” the statement quoted Mr Baloch as saying.

He announced that negotiating committees formed by the government and JI would meet to discuss the petroleum levy, adding that if the government failed to announce relief for the people, JI would launch its protest march in mid-November.

Mr Baloch said JI had been playing a frontline role in the opposition and recalled that the party had opposed the formation of the Pakistan Democratic Movement government and had also resisted the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments.

He said that his party would also oppose the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026