QUETTA: Senior vice president of the National Awami Party (ANP) Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said the country’s economic, social and administrative conditions have worsened due to what he called wrong policies of the present rulers.

Addressing a news conference at Quetta Press Club on Sunday, he lashed out at the federal government led by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for “destroying” the country’s economy.

“In the last three years, people have been deprived of loans. The rulers used to claim that they have the best plan and people to run the country. Tell the rulers whether they should be called corrupt or not after the imposition of new taxes,” he said, adding that the country’s economy was not capable of carrying more burden.

Mr Hoti said the desire for presidential system had been going on for a long time, but “I want to make it clear that the country’s survival lies in a parliamentary democracy and this is what our Constitution suggests”.

Expresses concern over absence of basic amenities in Gwadar

He said people were being disappeared for ransom. “Our party is also affected. It is the responsibility of the rulers to solve the problem of missing persons.”

He regretted that a large number of people in Gwadar, including women and children, were being deprived of their rights and of basic amenities. People have concerns over Reko Diq and Saindak projects. If people are not given rights then deprivation will increase and lack of trust will weaken the federation,” he said.

The ANP leader said less developed areas should be given priority in projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Mr Hoti said the purpose of his visit to Balochistan was to commemorate the death anniversary of Bacha Khan. “In the severe cold, people attended the Harnai rally. Despite rain in Harnai, the party workers came to pay homage to their elders,” he said.

“Bacha Khan Baba fought for independence, peace and development. Wali Khan Baba fought for supremacy of law and Constitution and for provincial autonomy,” he said.

ANP’s central leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain, provincial president Asghar Khan Achakzai and general secretary Tri Mabat Kaka, provincial minister Zamrak Khan Achakzai, Rashid Khan Nasir and Balochistan Assembly member Shahina Mehtarzai were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2022