Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan could prove to be more dangerous dead rather than alive, hence his well-being must be ensured.
This was suggested by fromer Presidential hopeful Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and the head of the opposition alliance ‘Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan', on Monday. He was addressing a large gathering at the Sadiq Shaheed Football Ground in Quetta to mark the 51st death anniversary of Khan Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai (Khan Shaheed).
Achakzai paid tribute to Khan Shaheed and stated that he had sacrificed his life for his principled political stance while facing opposition from powerful forces including in Quetta, Peshawar, and Kabul.
He [Khan Shaheed] never backed down from his ideology or the rights of the Pashtuns, he said, adding that time vindicated Khan Shaheed for the stance he took was correct. This is why, he said, Khan Shaheed continues to live in the hearts of millions of his followers, and this way will always remain alive.
Achakzai emphasised that a popular political ideology and leader can never be eliminated. Today, Imran Khan was Pakistan’s most popular political leader, and that his party secured a clear majority in the February 8, 2024, elections. The PkMAP chief lamented that PTI's mandate had been stolen.
Even many of the seats we won were taken away in this electoral plunder, he claimed without specifying the seats his party allegedly lost unfairly.
Noting the current political impasse, he said that imprisoning Imran Khan, his party's leaders and workers, shooting at peaceful protesters, and killing innocent workers was not the solution. He proposed that Imran Khan should be released, and his stolen mandate should be returned.
He warned that a dead Imran Khan would be more dangerous than a living one.
Achakzai also cautioned the bureaucracy and security forces that they would have to pay a steep price for following the illegal orders of an unlawful government. The only solution to Pakistan’s current crises is the supremacy of the people and the Constitution, and the sovereignty of Parliament. For this purpose, a broad national dialogue was essential.
On the international front, Achakzai addressed the global powers, stating that instead of creating conflicting political and military blocs for political and economic monopolies, the international community should work towards resolving disputes and moving towards mutual cooperation for the wellbeing of humanity.
He stressed the importance of regional political stability and economic prosperity, urging South and Central Asian countries, especially neighbouring states, to end their conflicts and promote economic and cultural relations.
Regarding Afghanistan, Achakzai warned that instability in Afghanistan would bring no benefit to Pakistan. Pakistan must participate in every necessary action to ensure Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and peace.
Expressing concerns about the prevailing law and order situation in Pashtun and Baloch dominated regions, Achakzai said that the resources of Pashtuns and Baloch people should be practically recognised as their right, and they should be given political, economic autonomy, and identity based on equality.
He further stated that in the district of Pishin alone, some 125,000 acres of land have been allotted to a resident of Sahiwal, which was causing political unrest and a sense of deprivation across the entire Pashtun belt.
Achakzai further demanded that compensation should immediately be given to the families of the labourers killed in Duki, Hernai, Sanjawi, and Rahda Sham, and to the owners of the trucks burnt while transporting coal. The state must ensure law and order at all costs, he asserted.
He concluded by stating that if the state fails to perform its duty, the people and tribes reserve the right to take any necessary action to safeguard their lives and properties.