Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party, has described the Pakistani government as a “terrorist government,” alleging that it came to power with the backing of military institutions and through the use of money and coercion. He also expressed support for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s stance against what he described as oppression.
Achakzai made these remarks during a session of Pakistan’s Parliament in which a proposal to impose emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being debated and approved. He claimed that the people’s electoral mandate had been undermined and that parliamentary seats had been secured through bribery. Consequently, he argued, the current government does not represent the genuine will of the people.
The leader of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party further stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had not been allowed to contest the elections under its own electoral symbol, forcing its candidates to compete using approximately 200 different symbols.
Achakzai defended Sohail Afridi’s position against the government, stating that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had demonstrated resistance to what he described as terrorism. According to Achakzai, Afridi had urged the public to stand up against oppression rather than resort to violence.
Achakzai warned that political disputes over provincial rights could extend beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and spread to other parts of Pakistan. He also criticised what he referred to as the “throne of Lahore,” calling on the government to reconsider its approach to the provinces.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
