Quetta:
Balochistan’s largest political parties have given a provincial shutter and wheel-jam-strike call to September 8 in protest of the recent suicide attack aimed at Balochistan National Party-Menn (GDP-M) -Rally in Quetta.
The deadly explosion that hit near Sariab Road on Tuesday claimed at least 17 lives and left dozens wounded and triggered widespread indignation over the province.
The announcement of the strike was made during a joint press conference in Quetta, addressed by prominent political leaders-Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aoin Pakistan-Head Mahmood Khan Achakzai, BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, National Party Secretary Kabir Muhammad, Anp Balochistan President Asghar Khan Achakzai, Ptichishistant Dawood Shah Kakar and MWM leader Allama Vilayat Hussain Jafri.
Achakzai convicted Achakzai heavily attacked and called it a crime against humanity. With reference to the Holy Qur’an, he said that killing an innocent person is equivalent to killing all of humanity. “What crime have we committed our children to be targeted?” He asked. Achakzai, who emphasized the constitutional right to assembly, said people would continue to raise slogans in favor of democracy, regardless of the threat.
He reiterated that Balochistan is an inseparable part of Pakistan, but added that the province’s resources must first benefit the local population. Achakzai announced that air and train services would also be suspended on the day of the protest to send a clear message to the world: “We are the rightful owners of this country and its ways.”
GDP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal called the explosion a conspiracy to suppress political movements, but promised not to be frightened. When he criticized the government, he questioned why the authorities did not change the rally to the hockey round despite having prior knowledge of potential threats. He regretted the silence of the media and said, “You highlight the theft of wheelchairs from civilian hospitals but ignore the loss of human life.”
Mengal appealed to dealers, carriers and members of all walks of life to participate in the protest 8 September.
NP leader Kabir Muhammad said the current assemblies do not represent people’s will and warned that the coast and resources of Balochistan are handed over to the federal government.
When he remembered that the incident took place on the year of death for veteran politician Sardar Ataullah Mengal, he described it as a day of grief for the whole province.
“These martyrs do not belong to only one party – they are the martyrs of all Balochistan,” he said, calling on farmers, lawyers, business people and political workers to participate in the fight for true democracy.
Ptis Dawood Shah Kakar condemned the September 2nd attack as yet another dark chapter in the story of the oppression. He also questioned the legitimacy of the current provincial government and caught it as the “Form-47 government”-a reference to alleged voting rig. Kakar demanded immediate resignation by chief minister Sarfraz Bugti and his cabinet.
Majlis Wahdat-E-Muslime Leader Allama Vilayat Hussain Jafri said Tyranni will never last and that nothing can be achieved by means of use of force. “Even if we have to wear 100 chests a day, we will not return from our mission,” he said.
At the end of the presses, Fatiha was offered to the victims of the attack. Party leaders jointly announced that after the September 8th protest, a comprehensive future strategy would be devised by all participating political forces.
