JI chief calls for reopening Afghanistan border crossings

QUETTA: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday called for the reopening of border crossings with Afghanistan, the regularisation of trade with Iran and completion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying these steps were necessary for economic stability and relief for the public.

Addressing a public gathering in Zhob held under the slogan Badal Do Nizam, Rehman also announced that his party would stage a countrywide strike after Eidul Azha against what he described as unjustified increases in petrol and electricity prices. He appealed to the people and business community of Balochistan to back the strike fully.

Rehman said Jamaat-i-Islami had solutions to the problems facing both Balochistan and the rest of the country, and urged people to support the party’s campaign for systemic change and an end to the rule of what he called the imposed elite class.

Border and trade proposals

The JI chief proposed setting up a joint committee made up of tribesmen and traders from both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to help reopen crossings in Chaman and other areas. He also called for special border trade zones to be established and suggested that tribes be given responsibility for maintaining peace and protecting trade routes.

Criticising existing border arrangements, Rehman said the frontier was being opened selectively at night for the benefit of a limited number of people, while thousands continued to suffer losses to their livelihoods. He said trade with Iran, especially in petroleum products, should be brought into legal channels.

He also said the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project should be completed as part of broader measures aimed at easing economic pressure.

Balochistan issues raised at rally

Speaking at the same event, JI Balochistan chief and MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch said the province’s resources should be used for the welfare of its people. He said the party could address issues including missing persons, border closures, unemployment, insecurity and corruption if it received public support.

Hidayatur Rehman strongly condemned the recent bomb blast in Quetta and questioned why the authorities had failed to ensure public safety despite what he said were substantial allocations for security institutions.

He also voiced concern over reports that coal trucks had been set on fire in Harnai and Loralai. He called on the Balochistan government to compensate the affected traders and to ensure the safety of commercial activity in the province.