By Sajjad Shah
ISLAMABAD:Provincial President,Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Balochistan, Dawood Shah Kakar, stated that despite being Pakistan’s largest province, Balochistan remains deprived of basic human rights, and socioeconomic development.
He claimed that although PTI is the country’s largest political party, all its political activities in Balochistan have been completely restricted, offices have been sealed, and hundreds of workers have been arrested, while freedom of expression is also being suppressed.
He expressed these views while addressing a dinner hosted by him in honor of the newly elected office-bearers of the National Press Club, Islamabad and Senior Journalists on Monday evening.
Kakar said that the political space for PTI in Balochistan has been severely restricted, with party offices shut down and workers not even allowed to hold peaceful protests or rally.
He added that even press club venues are closed to the PTI, while other political parties enjoy full freedom.
He said on the special initiative of former Prime Minister Imran Khan many medical colleges were established and highway projects were completed in Balochistan.
He further said that the people of Balochistan have long faced social, political, and economic hardships. Alleging irregularities in the last (elections), he claimed that results were altered through “Form 47,” and winning seats were converted into losses through large sums of money, affecting genuine public representation.
Kakar also highlighted that Balochistan is Pakistan’s most underdeveloped province, with almost no employment opportunities.
Youth who depended on small-scale trade through the Chaman and others borders points with Iran and Afghanistan have suffered due to border closures, leading to increased poverty.
He described the law and order situation in the province as extremely poor, stating that armed groups operate openly while the writ of the government appears absent.
He also alleged restrictions on freedom of expression, limited access to justice, delays in development projects, favoritism in awarding tenders, and widespread corruption.
According to Dawood Kakar, both public and private lands are being illegally allotted to favored individuals.
He said Balochistan is suffering due to war in Iran but the government policy regarding this war is not clear.
He added that in many districts of Balochistan, mobile and internet services are either suspended or restricted, severely impacting students and businesses.
He also pointed out the lack of major dams, resulting in the absence of an effective system to store rain and floodwater.
On the occasion, PTI Central Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that the issue of missing persons in Balochistan is extremely serious.
He mentioned that Mahrang Baloch raised her voice on this issue but efforts were made to silence her.
He added that PTI founder Imran Khan is deeply concerned about the situation in Balochistan, and expressed solidarity with Mahrang Baloch, stating that they stand with her on the issue of missing persons.
Raja concluded that the overall situation in Balochistan is alarming and that addressing the grievances of the (Baloch) people has become unavoidable.
In dinner Newly Elected office bearers of National Press Club ,senior Journalists were present on the occasion.
