QUETTA: Asghar Khan Achakzai, President of the Awami National Party (ANP) Balochistan and former MPA, announced on Saturday that his party will host an all-party conference on January 22. The move comes in solidarity with the Grand Alliance, a coalition of government employees protesting for their rights, which the ANP has officially endorsed.
Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Achakzai launched a sharp critique against the provincial government, accusing it of political victimization. He alleged that authorities are raiding the homes of political activists and Grand Alliance workers, arresting them, and placing their names on the controversial Fourth Schedule.
“The government is only focusing on protecting itself. The current assembly is fake,” Achakzai stated, claiming that “differences between political parties in the country are created at the government level.” He highlighted the arrest of 38 individuals, including professors, following protests and denounced the “brutality” against employees as a bad omen for the province.
The ANP leader argued that the government initiated a crackdown even after its committee had agreed on six key points with the Grand Alliance during negotiations. He cited specific cases of alleged persecution, including the placement of ANP Provincial Information Secretary Wali Dad Mirani on the Fourth Schedule and a raid on the house of Dr. Akram Wardag.
Meanwhile FC Balochistan (North) has established a dedicated e-commerce center in Nushki. The initiative, hailed as a crucial step for the province’s development, was highlighted during a visit by the Corps Commander Quetta and the Inspector General of FC Balochistan (North).
During their visit, the senior officials received a detailed briefing on the center’s objectives, which focus on providing training programs and skill development for female students. The center is designed to equip the women of Balochistan with modern digital skills, enabling them to participate in the burgeoning online marketplace and achieve financial independence.
