PkMAP holds rally against raid on Achakzai’s home in Quetta

Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) on Monday held a rally against the raid on the residence of its chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and announced a shutterdown strike today (Tuesday).

PTI, which has named Mr Achakzai as its presidential candidate, also condemned Sunday night’s action.

The Quetta district administration claimed to have recovered a piece of government-owned land, “illegally occupied” by the PkMAP chairman, during the raid.

PkMAP leaders and supporters have dismissed the claims and held a rally in Quetta to protest against the raid.

The lawyers’ community also observed a strike and did not appear in district courts as a protest.

A large number of workers and supporters, carrying party flags, placards and banners, participated in the rally, which was led by PkMAP central leaders Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, Lala Rauf and Abdul Qahar Wadan.

The participants gathered at the Bacha Khan Chowk, where the party leaders addressed the crowd.

They condemned the raid on the residence of Mr Achakzai and claimed he was targeted for his last week’s speech in the National Assembly.

They added that Mr Achakzai is a presidential candidate and deserves presidential protocol instead of raids on his residence. The party leaders denied the administration’s claim that Mr Achakzai had illegally occupied government land.

They claimed that the land was legally allotted and claimed to have complete documentation.

PkMAP leaders claimed that the district administration wanted “to shed blood”, but the restraint shown by the party foiled the conspiracy.