Islamabad, Senator Farhatullah Babar, President of the Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan People’s Party, has strongly criticized the remarks made by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar about the ongoing protests in Islamabad by Baloch women. Babar described the Prime Minister’s comments as insensitive and provocative, accusing him of ignoring the real issues in Balochistan.
According to Pakistan People’s Party, Senator Babar reacted to the comments made by Prime Minister Kakar at a New Year’s Eve press conference in Lahore. The Prime Minister, who hails from Balochistan, was expected to address the concerns of his people, especially regarding the sensitive issue of enforced disappearances. However, Babar expressed disappointment that Kakar chose to exacerbate the situation with his remarks.
Senator Babar condemned Kakar’s statement, in which the Prime Minister suggested that those advocating for victims of enforced disappearances in Balochistan were “advocates of terrorists” and should join them. Babar emphasized that this language was not only inappropriate but also dangerous, as it equated legitimate protests against disappearances with advocating terrorism.
Babar clarified that the demand of the protesters was straightforward and lawful: that those who have disappeared should be presented before courts and dealt with As per the law and the Constitution. He highlighted the fact of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and other parts of the country, labeling it as a dark stain on the state.
In his statement, Senator Babar also referenced several important public documents to support his arguments. These included the Supreme Court verdict from December 10, 2013, on the disappearance of 28 inmates from the Malakand internment center, the minutes of the Senate Committee of Human Rights meeting held on August 28, 2018, and the ISPR statement from July 5, 2019, acknowledging that some missing persons were in army custody.
The Senator called for the Caretaker Prime Minister to apologize to the people, particularly to the people of Balochistan, for his remarks. Babar warned that these thoughtless statements would haunt Kakar long after his tenure as Caretaker Prime Minister ends, and he fades into historical obscurity.
Karachi, The Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Caretaker Government to take immediate action to address the pressing transport issues in Karachi. The party’s statement emphasizes the need for large buses like UTS and Green buses in the city, restoration of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), and solutions to alleviate the city’s transport problems.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, PDP Vice Chairman Abdul Hakim Quaid has expressed strong views on the current state of public transportation in Karachi. He criticizes the federal and provincial governments for their failure to deliver on promises regarding the Karachi Circular Railway. The PDP demands the introduction of at least 5000 UTs and green buses to the city’s transport system and calls for an emergency response to reduce fares and restore the KCR. The party suggests that the Chief Justice should penalize those responsible for the delay in restoring the circular railway.
Furthermore, the PDP insists on immediate steps to begin work on all transport projects, including the restoration of the KCR. The party calls for action from the Provincial Transport Minister, Secretary Transport, Secretary RTA, and DIG Traffic to prevent arbitrary fare hikes by transporters. The statement also proposes that Karachi be given the constitutional status of a charter city to effectively address all problems, including those related to transport.
The PDP’s statement extends beyond transport issues, suggesting that government vehicles be taken back from all ministers, secretaries, and officers of administrative bodies in Sindh. The party demands that these officials be made to travel in buses, minibuses, and coaches alongside the public to understand the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens. The statement ends with a call for a response from the Chief Justice of Pakistan, federal and provincial governments, Green Line Project, and Railway officials regarding the alleged misuse of land and infrastructure related to the Karachi Circular Railway.