QUETTA: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai has petitioned the Balochistan High Court against the registration of a case against him in Cha­man over his recent contr­oversial speech, and term­­ed the issues facing the co­­untry ‘political in nature’.

“The establishment of a true democratic society is essential for national progress,” said Achakzai, who is chairman of Pash­to­­onkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), while speaking to the media and lawyers at the BHC on Wednesday.

He said that interference in the electoral process had weakened democratic institutions in the country, while those advocating for constitutional supremacy and democra­tic principles were often subjected to criticism.

Highlighting the need for a system based on genuine public representation, he said Pakistan required a truly elected parliament, where key national decisions, particularly related to internal and foreign policy, were made independently in the broader interest of the state and its people. “We will not overcome recurring crises un­­less we establish a transparent mechanism and en­­sure independent policy-making,” he remarked.

The veteran politician said the country’s constitution was the result of a long political struggle and consensus, and insisted that stopping repeated interference in the electoral process that has weakened civil institutions was essential for democracy.

About the FIR registe­red against him in Cha­m­­an, he said the FIR, lodged on the complaint of a person named Wali Achakzai at Chaman City Police Sta­tion over an allegedly controversial speech, was not in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements and should therefore be declared null and void.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026

QUETTA: Police are investigating the motive behind the acid attack on a doctor from Civil Hospital Quetta, whose attacker was killed as he tried to flee, officials said on Monday.

Dr Mahnoor Nasir, who hails from Duki, was attacked while on duty on Saturday. The provincial government immediately shifted her to Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi for specialised care.

After registering a case against the accused, Humayun Shah, investigators are now questioning hospital employees and close acquaintances of the attacker to determine the real cause.

“We are investigating the tragic incident, keeping in view all aspects to trace out the people who could be behind this episode,” a senior police officer said.

Balochistan’s chief minister visited the hospital on Sunday night to check on Nasir’s health, assuring full cooperation for her recovery.

On Monday, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail telephoned Nasir’s father, Habibullah Khan Nasir, to offer arrangements for specialised treatment and plastic surgery abroad. Mandokhail emphasised that the provincial government is bearing all expenses related to her recovery from day one.

“The entire nation is proud of a brave daughter like Dr Mahnoor, and the people of Balochistan stand with her in this hour of difficulty,” Mandokhail said. He added that the government is utilising all available resources to ensure the safety and dignity of doctors and paramedical staff.

Meanwhile, the Young Doctors Association continued its strike across all government hospitals in Quetta, boycotting outpatient and other departments. The doctors have established a protest camp on the hospital premises, making speeches criticising health officials and demanding enhanced workplace security.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026

QUETTA: Police have registered a case against Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PkMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, on charges of allegedly spreading hatred against state institutions and criticising the present government while addressing a public gathering.

Other party leaders have also been named in the FIR. The charges relate to an allegedly provocative speech made against state institutions.

The action was taken following a written complaint submitted by Abdul Wali Khan, son of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a member of the Shinzai tribe and a resident of Gulistan Kari.

According to the FIR registered at Gulistan Police Station, the complainant stated that, during a public meeting, Achakzai allegedly said that law and order in Balochistan continued to deteriorate and that the current government had completely failed to provide security to the public.

He allegedly described the government as a “Form-47 fake government” and proposed the formation of an alternative force by recruiting people from various tribes in competition with the Pakistan Army.

The FIR further alleged that the accused encouraged people across Pakistan to become Afghan proxies, thereby attempting to create hatred and unrest between state institutions and the public.

Acting on the complaint, police registered a case against Mehmood Khan Achakzai and others under Sections 153, 505, 131, 341, 147, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, as well as under the Balochistan Sound System Regulation Act, 2016.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026

QUETTA: Pakistan Rai­lways resumed train operations from Balochistan on Saturday, restoring services after a three-day suspension, railway officials said.

According to the officials, train operations from the province have been fully restored, with the Jaffar Express departing from Quetta for Peshawar. They said that the return service of the Jaffar Express will also depart from Peshawar for Quetta as per the timetable, restoring connectivity between the province and other parts of the country.

The Jaffar Express, the only train service from Quetta to Peshawar, was suspended last Sunday following a vehicle-borne suicide bombing that targeted a shuttle train near the Chaman railway crossing.

The Jaffar Express, which was ready to depart for its destination, was immediately stopped and later cancelled. Passengers were asked to collect refunds. However, after two days, the train service was restored, but on Wednesday it was again suspended. Railway authorities have not mentioned the reason for the suspension of the Jaffar Express from both sides.

On Saturday, however, the Jaffar Express depa­rted for its destination on schedule following the restoration of rail traffic.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2026

QUETTA: A female doctor at the Provincial Civil Hospital in Quetta was seriously injured on Saturday when an employee of the hospital allegedly threw acid on her, police said.

A senior official of the Civil Hospital told Dawn that the doctor suffered severe burn injuries to her face, chest, legs and other parts of her body. He added that she was shifted to a private hospital immediately after initial treatment at the Civil Hospital, and that arrangements were being made to transfer her to Karachi via air ambulance.

Hospital sources said around 70 per cent of her body was affected in the incident.

The suspect, who allegedly committed the act, escaped from the hospital after throwing acid on the doctor.

According to police, the accused was killed in an encounter after law enforcers traced him to the area from where he was attempting to flee by bus.

Police said they asked the suspect to surrender, but he instead opened fire on the police party. The police retaliated, and in the exchange of fire, the accused was killed.

“The accused was killed in a police encounter while attempting to escape from Quetta by bus,” DIG Quetta Imran Shaukat said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Health Minister Bakht Kakar took serious notice of the incident and strongly condemned the attack.

Bugti directed the relevant health authorities to provide all available resources for the best possible treatment of the injured doctor.