Govt Tactics Unconstitutional, Undemocratic. Balochistan Rights Long March Will Not Be Stopped: Liaqat Baloch

1دن پہلے

JI Vice-Emir addresses press conference alongside Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, JI Balochistan Chief Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman

LAHORE: July 29-Jamaat-e-Islami Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch has strongly condemned the Punjab government's attempts to obstruct the ongoing "Haq Do Balochistan Ko” Long March, terming such tactics unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah Lahore on Tuesday, flanked by Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Chief Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, and other leaders, he declared that the caravan would not be deterred and will resume its journey towards Islamabad on Wednesday as planned.
Baloch criticized the Punjab administration’s move to block a peaceful democratic caravan from Balochistan, questioning which hidden forces the provincial government is trying to appease. “For decades, powerful circles and decision-makers have placed hurdles in the path of democratic movements,” he said.
He added that attempts by the Punjab police and administration to forcibly detain the caravan in Lahore had sent a deeply negative message to the people of Balochistan. “Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has expressed full support for the march, which will now continue through Punjab towards Islamabad.”
Reiterating the demands of the Long March, Baloch said, “The people of Balochistan, under the leadership of Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, are peacefully demanding their constitutional rights — recovery of missing persons, an end to the humiliation of citizens under the pretext of security, elimination of the trawler mafia from Gwadar, legalisation of border trade, fair share in provincial resources, and access to education, employment, and healthcare for youth and the general population.”
The Long March began five days ago in Quetta. The Punjab government initially tried to halt it at Muzaffargarh, and after its arrival in Lahore on Monday night, a heavy police presence surrounded Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mansoorah headquarters on Tuesday morning to block further movement.
Jamaat-e-Islami leadership engaged with senior Punjab government officials to avoid any confrontation. As a result, provincial ministers Maryam Aurangzeb, Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Malik Sohaib Bharth arrived at Mansoorah for negotiations.
However, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders made it clear that blocking a peaceful democratic march is authoritarian and unacceptable. “This will not send any positive signal to the people of Balochistan who are struggling for their legitimate rights,” they said. While reaffirming the party’s willingness to talk, they stressed that there will be no compromise on constitutional and democratic rights — and the march will proceed as scheduled.
Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman stated that the Long March represents the peaceful aspirations of the people of Balochistan. “Islamabad is our capital, and it is our right to take our voice there. We seek peace and development, not confrontation,” he said. “After being forcibly held for 24 hours near Muzaffargarh, we are now being blocked in Lahore — this is deeply unjust.”