Costly air travel, traders’ harassment: Balochistan PA passes resolutions

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly session began on Monday under the chairmanship of Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, starting an hour behind schedule, and quickly moved into an intense discussion over allegations of harassment of Pashtun traders in Sindh and the rising cost of air travel from Quetta.

The session opened with Finance Minister Shoaib Nosherwani presenting the Balochistan Public–Private Partnership Amendment Bill 2025, which was then forwarded to the relevant standing committee for review.

A key focus of the session was a resolution presented by MPA Asghar Ali Tareen regarding the protection of Pashtun tribes engaged in business activities across Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

The resolution stated that Pashtuns from Pishin, Chaman, Zhob, Muslim Bagh, Loralai and Quetta frequently travel to Sindh for trade, particularly in hotel and allied businesses. It alleged that for the past month, these communities had been facing continuous and unwarranted harassment at the hands of Karachi’s land mafia and the Sindh police, with the aim of forcing them to abandon their businesses and return to Balochistan.

Lawmakers argued that this behaviour was inflicting financial losses on Pashtun traders and undermining inter-provincial harmony and national unity. The resolution urged the provincial government to immediately take up the matter with the Sindh government to ensure the safety and security of Pashtun traders so they could continue their livelihoods without fear.

The resolution sparked emotional debate within the Assembly. MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said the people of Balochistan were being humiliated in Sindh and insisted that the Sindh Chief Minister be taken into confidence on the matter, questioning whether the people of Chaman were not Pakistani citizens.

ANP legislator Malik Naeem Bazai stated that Pashtuns were facing open oppression, while Prince Agha Umar Ahmadzai suggested the formation of a special committee to address the issue. PML-N’s Barkat Ali Rind called for a direct meeting with the Sindh Chief Minister and the provincial police chief.

Responding to the concerns, Provincial Minister Ali Hassan Zehri remarked that Karachi was a city of 35 million people. He denied that the Sindh government had targeted anyone unfairly, though he maintained that Balochistan was ready for dialogue if needed.

After discussion, the Assembly unanimously passed the joint resolution condemning the alleged harassment and demanding protection for Pashtun traders in Sindh.

The Assembly also debated another major issue: the steep rise in airfares for passengers travelling from Quetta.

Opposition MPA Shahida Rauf presented a resolution criticising the unprecedented increase in flight fares, noting that the cost of a one-way ticket from Quetta to Karachi had climbed to Rs 43,000–45,000 and on some occasions even reached Rs 60,000. The resolution added that the fare from Quetta to Islamabad had exceeded Rs 70,000, while flights from Karachi to Lahore or Islamabad remained between Rs 15,000–20,000.

Lawmakers described the disparity as discriminatory, arguing that it was financially burdening the people of Balochistan and damaging the province’s commercial, social, and administrative ties with the rest of the country.

During the debate, Sports Advisor Meena Majeed said she had recently paid Rs 80,000 for a ticket from Islamabad to Quetta, noting that even a ticket from Karachi to Dubai was cheaper. She called for the introduction of flights from Quetta to Turbat and from Quetta to Gwadar to improve connectivity.

MPA Zamrak Khan Achakzai warned that if the federal government and aviation authorities failed to take notice, the Assembly would pursue the matter in court. He also recommended summoning the CEOs of all airlines for an explanation.

The resolution urged the provincial government to approach the federal government, the Ministry of Aviation, PIA and private airlines to ensure that fares from Quetta are brought in line with those from other cities. After discussion, the Assembly approved the resolution.