QUETTA(National Times)- Amid tight security, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Balochistan staged a sit-in against deteriorating law and order, terrorism, the levy on petroleum products and the closure of borders with Iran and Afghanistan.
JI workers and supporters gathered near the Governor House carrying party flags, placards and banners inscribed with their demands. Provincial leaders of the party, including JI Balochistan Emir Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, also participated in the protest.
The protesters chanted slogans in favour of their demands and against the government, calling for their grievances to be addressed.
Speaking at the sit-in camp, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, who is also an MPA, said Balochistan was “burning” while major political leaders and tribal figures, allegedly operating under the patronage of the establishment, had remained silent spectators.
He said JI, under the leadership of Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, was the only political force raising its voice across the country against injustice, oppression, violence, corruption and alleged exploitation.
He said the party would continue its struggle and raise its voice against every form of oppression and injustice.
“Lawlessness, injustice and corruption are widening the gap between the rich and poor,” he said. Criticising the recent increase in petrol prices, he said people were being pushed towards extreme desperation because of what he described as an unjust and oppressive system.
“Balochistan is burning, and people are losing their lives every day while children are being orphaned,” he said, alleging that the bureaucracy was busy with corruption while influential sections of society remained silent over the province’s problems.
He said there was no real freedom of movement, employment, trade or expression in Balochistan, claiming that those who spoke the truth faced cases.
Maulana Hidayatur Rehman also criticised political parties, parliament, the media, judiciary and bureaucracy, alleging that they had been restrained from playing their independent roles.
He rejected attempts to portray the conflict in Balochistan as a confrontation between different ethnic groups.
