The police on Friday arrested Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), which is known for its strident criticism of the country’s military of human right abuses.
Pashteen was on his way to Jani Khel where Malik Naseeb Khan, former head of the security committee and a tribal elder, was killed in a militant attack. Pashteen had expressed over the killing and said the PTM would support them.
Till January 2018, Pashteen was a largely obscure figure whom not many had heard of. However, due to events that led to the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud by Rao Anwar, Pashteen was soon plucked from obscurity to become the leader of the popular resistance movement – Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).
The PTM thrives on the already persistent sense of deprivation and estrangement felt in the tribal areas, which have been ignored throughout Pakistan’s history. This region has never seen days of sunshine and prosperity; only violence and uncertainty.
Media coverage of the movement and its activities also faces restrictions; in fact, local television channels avoid covering the movement altogether. In February 2019, Pashteen’s interview with The New York Times (NYT), which called for an end to the enforced disappearances and extra-judicial murders of Pashtuns, was forced to be censored in Pakistan.
His movement is in the crosshairs for some wrong reasons. Most of the youth from Punjab and Sindh see him as someone who loves to play to the gallery. Some people raise a valid question: how can our soldiers fight against Pakistan’s enemies if we accuse the military of being hand in glove with the Taliban? Such preposterous accusations are an affront to our armed forces and their sacrifices.
A win-win situation is the only way forward to end this embarrassing situation. The government should address their ‘grave’ concerns immediately. Even Pashteen has a right to express. The government should also give media coverage to PTM chief. The governments should also clear tribal areas of land mines and release the missing persons from these lands.
However, members of the PTM should also develop some patriotism and stop portraying Pakistan in a negative light. As the state acknowledges the PTM and listens to its demands, we hope that Pashteen will also shift his tone so that the Pashtuns can finally get the justice they deserve.
