The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party has expressed deep grief and anger and strongly condemned the incident in which one labourer was martyred and six other people were injured in a drone attack by security agencies in the Dasht Cheri area of Balochistan’s Kech district.
In a statement to the media, the party said that in a drone attack by security agencies on people farming and labouring in Dasht Cheri Kunchti, Kech district, a Pashtun labourer, Hafiz Khan Akakhel, was martyred and six other people were injured. The martyred labourer has been identified as Hafiz Khan Akakhel son of Mullah Abdullah, a resident of Kuchlak, Quetta. The injured include Hakim Mulakhel son of Nasir Khan, resident of Quetta; Izzat son of Muhammad Akbar, resident of Quetta; Gul Alam Mulakhel son of Noor Muhammad, resident of Quetta; Ehsanullah son of Muhammad Alam, resident of Quetta; Muhammad Alam son of Noor Muhammad, resident of Quetta; and Rehmatullah son of Muhammad Akbar, resident of Quetta.
The party said it is a deeply regrettable situation that Pashtun workers, far from their homes and native areas, toil in various parts of Balochistan in search of work, farming and labouring to feed their families, but instead of being protected, they fall victim to incidents in which lives are lost and many are injured. Endangering the lives of poor labourers and unarmed farming citizens in this way is unacceptable in any circumstances.
The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party said the Pashtun people are already facing serious problems such as unrest, unemployment, economic hardship and insecurity. The working class supports its families in extremely difficult conditions, and if they are not safe even at their workplaces, life becomes even harder for them. Actions by security agencies that result in civilians being martyred and injured not only spread fear among the public but also raise serious questions about the responsibilities of state institutions and the protection of the public.
The party made clear that in any security action, protecting the lives of civilians, labourers and farm workers is of fundamental importance. Before any action, it is essential to take all necessary precautions regarding the presence of civilians, their identification and the prevention of possible loss of life. The loss of unarmed civilians’ lives can never be called routine, nor should such incidents be ignored.
The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party demands an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into this tragic incident in Dasht Cheri; that the motives and circumstances of the drone attack be made public; and that if negligence, carelessness or unlawful action by any institution or official is proved, action be taken against those responsible according to the law. The martyred labourer’s family must be given adequate compensation and financial support, and the government must ensure that the injured receive the best medical care and that all the costs of their treatment are borne by the government.
The party demanded that the government and the relevant authorities take effective measures to protect the lives and property of Pashtun labourers and farm workers who come to Balochistan for work, make public the full details and findings of the investigation into this incident, and adopt a clear strategy to prevent such incidents in future.
The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family of martyr Hafiz Khan, prayed for their patience and fortitude, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The party reaffirmed that it will continue its political and democratic struggle for the lives, property, fundamental rights and protection of the Pashtun people, labourers, farmers and all oppressed working classes.
