Achakzai announces countrywide rallies to support PM

• PMAP chief says he is defending PM Sharif because he wants to strengthen democratic setup
• Says Khan, Qadri are mocking nation

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai announced Sunday that his party will launch countrywide processions to defend the democratic system, while expressing solidarity with the government and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

PMAP took out a procession in Quetta on Saturday and Achakzai said they will hold more political gatherings in coming days.

Speaking at a news conference at Quetta Press Club, Achakzai criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri for “trying to derail democracy”.

“My party will start protest demonstrations and political gatherings to mobilise people in Balochistan. Majority of the people are against the ongoing sit-in launched by PTI and PAT in Islamabad,” he said.

Achakzai said the processions would be peaceful and within the constitutional framework.

He suggested a political front comprising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), PMAP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Nationalist Party (NP) and other political parties be formed to show that the people of Pakistan are backing the democratic process.

“There is a need to answer the people who have been protesting in Islamabad. They are a minority and the way they are protesting is unjustified and unconstitutional,” he said.

“I would support Khan if his demands were justified and constitutional. But they are not,” he said.

Achakzai said the country’s economy is adversely affected due to the ongoing sit-ins in Islamabad. “The protest is negatively impacting the economy, while the stock exchange is gradually collapsing.”

Many heads of friendly countries have suspended their visits to Pakistan, he said.

“Khan and Qadri are mocking the country,” he said, adding, that Khan wants to attain constitutional status in an unconstitutional manner.

In response to a question, Achakzai said he is supports Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif because he wants to strengthen the democratic set up. “Democracy is the only solution to all issues in Pakistan. We will not let anyone insult the Constitution,” he said.

Responding to question regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan, Achakzai said, “The devastation of houses is the worst thing to happen in Pashtun culture.”