Quetta:
The main political parties of Balutchistan gave a shutter on the province’s scale and a Wheel-Jam strike for September 8 to protest the recent suicide attack targeting the National-Mégal Party (BNP-M) rally in Quetta.
The mortal blast, which struck near Sariab Road on Tuesday, made at least 17 lives and made dozens of injuries, arousing generalized indignation through the province.
The announcement of the strike was made at a joint press conference in Quetta, addressed by eminent political leaders-Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan Head Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of BNP-M Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the secretary of the National Party Kabir Muhammad, the president of Balochistan Asghar Khan Achakar and the leader of MWM Allama Vilayat Hussain Jafri.
Addressing the media, Achakzai firmly condemned the attack, calling it a crime against humanity. Citing the Holy Quran, he said that killing an innocent person amounts to killing all humanity. “What crime have we committed that our children are targeted?” He asked. Stressing the constitutional law in the Assembly, Achakzai said that people would continue to raise slogans in favor of democracy, whatever the threat.
He reiterated that Balutchistan is an inseparable part of Pakistan, but added that the province’s resources must first benefit the local population. Achakzai has announced that air and train services would also be suspended on the day of the demonstration to send a clear message to the world: “We are the legitimate owners of this land and its roads.”
BNP-M chief, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, described the conspiracy explosion to suppress political movements, but has sworn not to be intimidated. Criticizing the government, he asked why the authorities had not moved the rally to the hockey field despite prior knowledge of potential threats. Deploring the silence of the media, he said: “You highlight the theft of wheelchairs in civil hospitals, but ignore the loss of human life.”
The mengal called merchants, carriers and members of all horizons to participate in the September 8 demonstration.
The chief of the NP, Kabir Muhammad, said that the current assemblies do not represent the will of the people and warned that the coast and the resources of Balutchistan were given to the federal government.
Recalling that the incident occurred on the anniversary of the death of the veteran politician Sardar ATULLAH MENGAL, he described it as a day of mourning for the whole province.
“These martyrs do not belong to a single party-they are the martyrs of all Balutchistan,” he said, urging farmers, lawyers, businessmen and political workers to join the struggle for real democracy.
Dawood Shah Kakar of PTI denounced the attack on September 2 and another dark chapter in the history of oppression. He also questioned the legitimacy of the current provincial government, calling it as “government of form 47” – a reference to the alleged electoral rigging. Kakar demanded the immediate resignation of chief minister Sarfraz Bugti and his cabinet.
Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Leader Allama Vilayat Hussain Jafri said that tyranny never lasts and that nothing can be achieved through the use of force. “Even if we have to transport 100 coffins per day, we will not back up our mission,” he said.
At the end of the meter, Fatiha was proposed for the victims of the attack. Party leaders have announced jointly that after the September 8 demonstration, a future unified strategy would be designed by all participating political forces.
