QUETTA: Opposition members of the Balochistan Assembly on Monday walked out during the session to protest against the closure of border with Iran, demanding alternative ways of earning for those affected by the move.

The opposition lawmakers said the government decision to close the border deprived locals of their livelihoods, warning that “labelling their livelihoods as smuggling” threatens their future.

Soon after the assembly session began, with Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai in the chair, BNP-Awami President Mir Asadullah Baloch stood up on a point of order and raised the border trade issue.

He said the border closure was badly affecting the locals, highlighting that border trade was a global practice and formed the economic backbone of the communities living in border areas who also have relatives across the border.

Assembly adopts three resolutions; PML-N MPA takes oath

“The government should clarify its stance on the matter and provide alternative solutions for those impacted,” he said.

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During his speech, opposition members staged a protest in the house carrying placards inscribed with the demand to reopen border for trade with Iran.

Jamaat-i-Islami’s Balochis­tan chapter chief Maulana Hidayatur Rehman while taking the floor strongly criticised the government’s approach, accusing the federal administration of treating the people of Balochistan as “second-class citizens”.

He described the closure of border trade as an act of “hostility towards Balochistan” and handed a placard to Speaker Achakzai in protest.

The chair, however, responded by saying the issue would be addressed once Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti arrives, and expressed the hope that a “unified plan of action” would be devised.

While clarifying they did not support illegal activities, Awami National Party leader Zamrak Khan Achakzai said they would continue to fight for the rights of their people.

He called on the government to formulate a clear policy on border trade to restore employment opportunities.

He emphasised that the closure of the border had already rendered many locals jobless, urging the government to resolve the issue in line with international laws.

After their speeches, members of opposition parties, including BNP-Awami, BNP-Mengal, JI, National Party and JUI-F, walked out of the house.

Speaker Achakzai remarked that the opposition had freedom of choice if they wanted to leave the session.

While acknowledging that half of Balochistan’s population depends on border trade for their livelihood, Minister for Planning and Development Zahoor Ahmed Buledi said the government was not against the livelihoods of people, but the province was currently facing a wave of terrorism.

Certain restrictions could be addressed only after the chief minister’s return, he said, calling on the opposition members to act responsibly.

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He questioned the feasibility of border closures by neighbouring countries and pointed out that there are over two million unemployed youth in Balochistan. He assured the assembly that a comprehensive strategy on border trade would be formulated after reviewing the situation.

The house also adopted three resolutions demanding land rights for the residents of Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allah Yar, the sub-campus of Women University in Jaffarabad, and blue passports for the provincial lawmakers and their families like in the case of parliament members.

The resolutions were moved by Shahnaz Umrani of PPP, Hadiya Nawaz of PML-N and Abdul Majeed Badini of Jamaat Islami.

The house adopted all three resolutions without any opposition.

Earlier, Dr Ashok Kumar of PML-N took oath as MPA on a reserved seat.

The minority seat fell vacant on the demise of MPA Patrick Saint Masih.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024