Mahmood Khan Achakzai Calls for Accountability and Unity at Peace Jirga in Balochistan
In a peace jirga held in Loralai, Balochistan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), voiced concerns over the lack of accountability for violence against citizens. He criticized state institutions and Parliament for failing to address rising violence and condemned the government’s inadequate response to terror attacks, including a deadly bomb blast at Quetta Railway Station.
Achakzai emphasized the need for Pakhtun unity and a community-led strategy to tackle regional challenges. He condemned violence against coal miners and criticized military involvement in politics, highlighting constitutional violations. He also questioned intelligence operations’ effectiveness, noting their focus on surveilling critics rather than addressing security threats.
Achakzai stressed the peaceful values of the Pakhtun people, advocating for rightful autonomy over their land and resources. He announced upcoming peace jirgas in Zhob and Quetta to further promote unity and self-determination. The two-day jirga, presided over by Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, included party leaders, activists, and tribal elders, calling for decisive action against those undermining peace.
Doubts Revealed
Mahmood Khan Achakzai -: Mahmood Khan Achakzai is a politician from Pakistan. He is the leader of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, which focuses on the rights and issues of the Pashtun people.
Peace Jirga -: A Peace Jirga is a traditional meeting or assembly in some South Asian cultures, especially among Pashtuns, where community leaders gather to discuss and resolve issues peacefully.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is known for its diverse culture and is the largest province by area in the country.
Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party -: The Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party is a political party in Pakistan. It mainly represents the interests of the Pashtun people, who are an ethnic group in the region.
Accountability -: Accountability means being responsible for one’s actions and being answerable to others. In this context, it refers to holding people or institutions responsible for violence and ensuring justice is served.
State institutions -: State institutions are organizations or bodies that are part of the government. They include things like the police, military, and other government agencies.
Parliament -: Parliament is a group of elected officials who make laws and decisions for a country. In Pakistan, it is the national legislative body.
Pakhtun unity -: Pakhtun unity refers to the coming together of the Pashtun people to work towards common goals and address their shared challenges.
Autonomy -: Autonomy means having the freedom to govern oneself or make one’s own decisions. In this context, it refers to the desire for regions or communities to have more control over their own affairs.
Zhob and Quetta -: Zhob and Quetta are cities in Balochistan, Pakistan. Quetta is the capital city of the province, and both are important cultural and economic centers.