Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Achakzai’s residence in Quetta became the center of controversy as police conducted a late-night raid on Sunday. The incident unfolded just days before the upcoming presidential election, where Achakzai is a candidate.
Social media videos captured a procession of vehicles entering Achakzai’s street during the nighttime raid. PkMAP Secretary General Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal criticized the operation, alleging that it occurred without a warrant or the presence of a magistrate. Ziaratwal condemned the raid as a ‘pressure tactic,’ asserting that it was retaliation for Achakzai’s exposure of electoral rigging.
In response to the raid, the party announced plans for protests scheduled for 3 pm on Monday. While Achakzai has yet to make a statement, multiple political leaders expressed their outrage. Sardar Akhtar Mengal strongly condemned the raid, interpreting it as a sign of intolerance for truth.
“Outraged by the raid on Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s residence. Zero tolerance for truth is loud and clear. Strongly condemn,” Mengal remarked.
PTI’s Omar Ayub Khan also condemned the incident, associating such tactics with the Shehbaz government. He stated, “As I had mentioned in my speech in the National Assembly, these tactics should be expected from Shahbaz Sharif’s fascist government.”
Achakzai, the Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate for the presidential election on March 9, faces opposition from Asif Ali Zardari. In a recent fiery speech in the Assembly, Achakzai criticized electoral rigging and called for the respect of the people’s mandate.
Former Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai contradicted claims about the raid, stating that authorities took action to free up illegally occupied land and emphasized that Achakzai’s home was not entered into. The situation continues to unfold, sparking tensions ahead of the presidential election.
