QUETTA: The National Party (NP) has launched a scathing attack on the Balochistan government, accusing it of imposing fascist tactics and turning the provincial capital into a “prison” through a severe crackdown on protesting employees.
In a strongly worded statement, the party’s central spokesperson condemned the government’s response to a “peaceful, constitutional and democratic” protest organized by the Grand Alliance of employees. The protest, held to demand basic rights, was met with what the NP described as “brutal police brutality, violence and unjustified arrests.”
The city witnessed a heavy security deployment, with authorities placing containers to block key routes. The spokesperson stated, “The government imposed on the basis of Form 47 has once again closed Quetta with containers and practically turned the city into a prison.” Form 47 refers to the official result summary form in Pakistani elections, a term the opposition often uses to question the legitimacy of the current administration.
“The use of batons, dragging and arresting employees who came out for their basic and legitimate rights… is proof that the current ruler has become afraid of the public voice,” the spokesperson asserted, adding that this behavior was “not democracy but a clear sign of dictatorship.”
The party demanded the immediate release of all arrested employees, legal action against officers involved in the alleged police brutality, and a resolution to the Grand Alliance’s demands. The statement frames the government’s actions as a desperate attempt to stifle dissent, claiming it sets “the worst example of fascism.” The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the provincial government and opposition forces in Balochistan.
