QUETTA: Former National Assembly speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Monday said governments formed in Balochistan had historically failed to represent the true will of the people, stressing that the province must be given its due rights in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Qaiser said he had arrived with a message of solidarity and goodwill for the people of Balochistan on behalf of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the PTI. He said the people of Balochistan had always made great sacrifices and that his party’s position on the prevailing situation in the province was clear.
He alleged that non-representative governments had repeatedly been imposed in Balochistan, claiming that a majority of members of the provincial assembly did not genuinely represent the people. Depriving citizens of their fundamental rights, he said, would only worsen the situation.
The former National Assembly speaker expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan, saying the government’s writ had weakened and highways across the province had become unsafe.
Warns denial of rights will worsen crisis in province
He claimed that people were being killed while travelling on roads, creating a sense of insecurity among the public and discouraging investors from bringing business to the province.
Mr Qaiser said the youth were increasingly falling into despair, while the closure of border trade routes was contributing to unemployment. He demanded the immediate reopening of border trade corridors to create employment opportunities and ease economic hardships.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, he alleged that plans were being made to hand down further punishments to him and urged people to stand up for justice.
He warned that unless the voices of the people were heard, the situation would continue to deteriorate.
Calling for the effective implementation of the National Action Plan, Mr Qaiser also criticised the National Assembly, claiming that none of the legislation passed so far had served the public interest.
Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026