Islamabad, the October 30, 2024: The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan expressed grave concern over law-and-order situation and insecurity in Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack on dam construction site in Panjgur, Balochistan. “The law-and-order situation across Pakistan, has reached an alarming state, and we are witnessing a worrying rise in violence, insecurity, and criminal activity in these regions”. Omar Ayub Khan expressed grave concerns over the government’s failure to protect the lives and properties of citizens, who are facing an unprecedented security crisis.
Pakistan’s peripheries continues to suffer from a severe breakdown in security, exacerbating the sense of alienation and marginalization felt by its people. It is deeply troubling that, instead of prioritizing law enforcement efforts in these volatile regions, the government has directed its agencies to pursue a political vendetta against members and supporters of Pakistan’s most popular political party, he added.
Omar Ayub Khan stated that law enforcement agencies, which should be focusing on ensuring peace and order, have been directed to target opposition members in an attempt to silence dissent. This diversion of resources and manpower towards muzzling democratic voices is not only counterproductive but also dangerous, as it leaves citizens vulnerable to lawlessness and extremism. The state has a fundamental duty to protect all its citizens without discrimination, and any attempt to politicize security institutions is a betrayal of that duty, he added.
He called on the government to immediately shift its priorities, reallocate resources towards protecting the public, and allow law enforcement agencies to fulfill their primary responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of Pakistan’s citizens.