QUETTA, Oct 31: The Chairman Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (Ponam), Mehmood Khan Achakzai, has said that the Pakhtoons would struggle alongside the Baloch, Sindhi and Sariki people for their rights.

He was speaking at a Ponam public meeting held to protest the alleged rigging in the election to defeat nationalist forces, here at Ayub Stadium, on Wednesday evening.

The President Balochistan National Party( Mengal-group), Sardar Akhtar Mengal and President BNM, Dr Abdul Hayee also spoke on the occasion.

Achakzai said that in the past twice public mandate was not accepted, which brought a lot of harm to Pakistan, and once again the rulers were not honouring the people’s mandate in favour of nationalist parties in the province.

He said that if the rulers wanted to keep the country intact smaller nationalities must be given their rights.

Achakzai demanded that a federal parliamentary democratic system be restored in the country without delay. He said that interference of army in civil affairs was the main problem faced by the country.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, President Balochistan National Party of his own faction while speaking at the meeting said that BNP members-elect would not take oath until they were assured that the people of Balochistan would also enjoying equal rights.

He said that his party does not believe in Pakistan’s democracy, laws and constitution as it dose not ensure the rights of our people.

The President Balochistan National Movement (BNM), Dr Abdul Hayee said that the people of Balochistan were united in their struggle for rights and were against looting and plundering.

He strongly criticized the role of Frontier Corps in the recent elections and said that the whole of Balochistan was hostage to the federal agency.

He demanded that supremacy of parliament and judiciary should also be restored and democratic forces be allowed to play their role in making Pakistan a true democratic country.

The secretary-general of BNM, Dr Yasin Baloch, and Usman Kakar provincial general secretary PMAP also were among the speakers.