Achakzai announces drive for democratic revival
In a historic public Jirga held in Kabal, Swat, Chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Member of the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, announced a nationwide movement to be launched after Eid-ul-Azha, aimed at restoring constitutional order and democratic integrity under the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan.
He delivered a forceful and impassioned speech addressing Pakistan's political turmoil, constitutional challenges, and the plight of the Pashtun people.
Speaking before a large crowd under the banner of TTAP Achakzai, who also is its president, emphasized that Pakistan's survival depends on the supremacy of its Constitution. "There can be no compromise on constitutional rule," he declared.
He underscored the Pashtun people's right to control their resources, drawing a comparison with global nationalist sentiments. "If Trump can say 'America First,' we too can say 'Pashtun First,'" he stated, clarifying that the demand is rooted in both international law and Islamic principles.
Achakzai rejected any form of subjugation, asserting, "We are not asking for separation, but we will not accept slavery."
He decried the portrayal of Pashtuns as extremists, pointing to the community's suffering from both global conflicts and flawed state policies. He likened their struggle to that of Palestinians and Kurds, criticizing historical and ongoing divisions imposed by colonial and state authorities.
The veteran politician condemned the state's economic policies, particularly the handing over of local resources to foreign investors under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and slammed the February 2024 elections as "blatantly rigged," alleging large-scale vote manipulation.
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