Complainant claims Achakzai made “seditious remarks” directed at state institutions in a recent public speech
A photo of opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREEN GRAB
QUETTA:
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), has challenged a treason case registered against him in the Balochistan High Court (BHC).
The veteran politician filed the petition against an FIR lodged on a complaint by a citizen named Waleed Khan. The complainant alleged that Achakzai made “seditious remarks” directed at state institutions during a recent public address. Challenging the legal basis of the case, Achakzai appeared before the BHC to seek annulment of the trial.
After his court appearance, the PkMAP chief addressed the members of the BHC lawyer and defended his political position. He claimed that TTAP is the country’s only political alliance formed through independent public initiative, free from the influence or support of what he described as “powerful quarters”.
Achakzai emphasized that the complex, protracted crises facing Pakistan and Balochistan can only be saved through an unyielding commitment to truth, strict adherence to constitutional governance and robust democratic framework. He added that the path to absolute political and national stability largely depends on a truly independent, elected parliament.
The opposition leader criticized the traditional model of government in the province, arguing that relying solely on tribal elites and influential figures to steer the political process would not solve Balochistan’s deep-rooted problems. Instead, he called for inclusive, broader public participation across all levels of society.
Achakzai emphasized the historical sanctity of the 1973 Constitution and reminded the legal community of the sacrifices endured to falsify the document.
He stated that upholding the absolute supremacy of the Constitution and ensuring total judicial independence are the basic pillars required to resolve persistent national disputes.
While calling for free, fair and transparent elections, the veteran leader pointed out that recurrent electoral processes have little value if they do not truly reflect the democratic mandate of the masses.
He further criticized the growing dominance of financial power in the country’s political landscape, arguing that parliamentary seats are increasingly compromised by monetary influence, ultimately depriving ordinary citizens of authentic representation.
