Kech People Denied Right to Self-Governance; Political, Economic and Business Problems Worsening, Says National Party President
TURBAT (GB News Daili ) National Party Central President, former Balochistan chief minister and Member of the Provincial Assembly Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that despite political and ideological differences, all political parties in Kech are united on issues concerning the public.
He said the people of Kech had been facing difficulties for several years, while their political, economic and business problems were continuously worsening. He alleged that the people’s right to self-governance was not being recognized, saying that the people’s actual representatives were different, while others were brought in as their representatives, further shrinking political space and weakening the political process.
Addressing a press conference, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said the main sources of income for the people of Makran had traditionally been agriculture, border trade and employment opportunities in the Gulf region.
He said agriculture had already suffered severe setbacks, while border trade was also being restricted and shut down under different pretexts. The situation, he added, had pushed thousands of families, including members of the business community, into serious economic difficulties, with many struggling to meet their basic needs.
The National Party president said taxes and other restrictions on border trade had been increased significantly, creating fears that the prices of essential commodities could rise several times. He said people involved in border trade would present details of these issues at a press conference and explain how additional taxes and restrictions had made trade almost impossible.
The former chief minister urged political parties and the people not to remain silent over the prevailing situation. He said political workers and citizens should participate fully in whatever protest decision was taken by the All Parties Kech platform.
He said the protest could take the form of a shutter-down strike, rally, public gathering or sit-in, adding that the objective was to raise a voice for the protection of the people’s basic rights, peace, employment and business activities.
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that if a large number of political workers and citizens came out peacefully on the roads, it could exert significant pressure. He said the situation had become so serious that complaints were even emerging about ambulances being affected and the transportation of bodies being disrupted, describing it as an extremely regrettable and alarming situation.
He demanded that state and administrative institutions provide protection to citizens, take effective action against robbery, theft and extortion, resolve the economic problems of thousands of families associated with border trade, and ensure citizens’fundamental rights to freedom of movement, business and political activities.
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