The Balochistan Assembly on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution, condemning the ongoing protest sit-ins in the high security Red Zone of the federal capital by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
Legislators from both sides of the aisle termed the protests a ‘conspiracy against democracy’ and demanded that the federal government stop the parties from holding protests in the Red Zone. The resolution also lauded the role of political parties which showed unity against the ongoing sit-ins.
The resolution was tabled by provincial Information Minister Rahim Ziaratwal – a member of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) – who condemned “the unconstitutional and undemocratic attitude of a political party”.
“The government should not allow anyone to hold protests in the Red Zone. It will set a bad example, if the protesters succeed [in getting their demands fulfilled],” he said.
Opposition leader Maulana Abdul Wasay, who belongs to the JUI-F, said that PTI chief Imran Khan had softened his stance after witnessing unity among the ranks of opposition and government leaders. “The drama is going to end soon and the protesters will get nothing from this undemocratic behaviour,” he said.
Legislators from the ruling National Party, PkMAP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and JUI-F backed the resolution which was later unanimously adopted. It was the second resolution within one week against the protests in Islamabad. The PkMAP also staged a rally in Quetta against the Islamabad sit-ins.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2014.