Pashtun Tahafuz Movement
پښتون ژغورنې غورځنګ Pashtun Protection Movement | |
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Abbreviation | PTM[1] |
---|---|
Type | Human rights movement |
Purpose | Protection and rights of Pashtuns
|
Chairman | Manzoor Pashteen |
Formerly called | Mahsud Tahafuz Movement (From May 2014 until January 2018)[1] |
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM; Pashto: پښتون ژغورنې غورځنګ Paṣhtūn Zhghōrənē Ghōrźang; Urdu: پشتون تحفظ موومنٹ, lit. 'Pashtun Protection Movement') is a social movement for Pashtun human rights based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The movement was founded in May 2014 by eight students in Dera Ismail Khan.
During PTM's public demonstrations and sit-ins, several demands were presented to the Pakistani government and military, including punishment to the retired police officer Rao Anwar, a truth and reconciliation commission on extrajudicial killings in the country,[2] presenting missing persons before courts,[3] and removal of landmines from the Pashtun tribal areas.[4] The movement is led by Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, a human rights activist from South Waziristan.[5][6] Other prominent activists in it include Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar.[7] PTM claims to be an unarmed and peaceful resistance movement working within the lawful boundaries of the Constitution of Pakistan.[8] However, the Pakistan Army and several journalists have claimed that the movement is trying to create discord in the country along ethnic lines, as well as following a foreign agenda.[9] The movement has seen strong support from neighboring Afghanistan, which traditionally has an uneasy relationship with the government of Pakistan.[10]
History[]
Early history[]
The movement was founded as Mahsud Tahafuz Movement in May 2014 by eight students in Dera Ismail Khan. as an initiative for removing landmines from Waziristan and other parts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, affected by the war in North-West Pakistan.[11][1]
The movement rose to prominence in January 2018 when it began a justice movement for Naqeebullah Mehsud, who was extrajudicially killed in a fake encounter staged by the police officer Rao Anwar in Karachi.[12] When the movement gained popularity among the Pashtuns in late January 2018, the word "Mahsud" in its name, which referred to the Mahsud tribe from Waziristan, was changed into "Pashtun" to refer to all Pashtuns.
In November 2018, PTM launched a justice movement for Tahir Dawar, a police officer and Pashto poet who was abducted from the capital Islamabad and tortured to death, with his corpse found 18 days after disappearance in the Dur Baba District of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.[13] PTM, as well as Tahir's family, demanded that Tahir's murder must be investigated through an international commission rather than a Pakistani one because the case involved two countries.[14][15] PTM again gained international press coverage in February 2019 when the Balochistan Police allegedly extrajudicially murdered one of the leaders of PTM, Arman Loni, in Loralai. Protests followed which led to the detention of more than 20 PTM activists, including Gulalai Ismail and Abdullah Nangyal.[16][17][18][19] In May 2020, after the assassination of PTM leader Arif Wazir, another wave of widespread protests was held during which several PTM activists, including Gilaman and Nadeem Askar, were arrested by Pakistani authorities.[20] The Pashteen hat (also known as the Mazari hat) has become the most iconic symbol of PTM, as Manzoor Pashteen regularly wears it at public rallies and events.[21]
Kharqamar incident[]
On 26 May 2019, PTM members including the Pakistani parliamentarians Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar protested in the Kharqamar area of Datta Khel Subdivision, North Waziristan. PTM claimed that the gathering had been organized by peaceful and unarmed activists to protest against the beating up of a woman by the military on May 25 and other human rights abuses in the area,[22] but the military alleged that the PTM leaders instead wanted to “exert pressure for release of suspected terrorists’ facilitators”.[22] As the military forces shot into the PTM protest gathering, more than 13 PTM supporters were killed and over 25 others injured.[23] However, according to Pakistani military, five Pakistani soldiers were injured as result of PTM members firing.[24][23][25] Following the incident several PTM members, including Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, were arrested by the security forces after the incident and curfew was imposed in the area. A day after this incident, the opposition parties walked out of the National Assembly of Pakistan in protest, and asked Asad Qaiser, the Speaker of the National Assembly, to produce Wazir and Dawar before the parliament so that they could explain their viewpoint about the incident at the parliament, but the speaker refused.[26]
On 1 June 2019, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan, announced a financial package of Rs2.5 million for the families of the people killed in the Kharqamar incident and Rs1 million to those injured in the incident.[27] On 14 October 2020, the government withdrew the Kharqamar case against PTM, and Wazir and Dawar were acquitted of all charges.[28][29]
Objectives[]
The main demands of PTM presented during the Pashtun Long March's gatherings in 2018 included, among others:
Terrorism[]
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has highly demanded that landmines must be removed from the Pashtun tribal areas. The PTM leaders have criticized Pakistan's military establishment for terrorizing lands of Pashtun people several times. They adoped a famous Balochi slogan "ye jo dehshatgardi hai, iske peeche wardi hai" (Those in uniform are behind terrorism).[30] PTM also demanded several times that Rao Anwar and other police officers involved must be punished for the alleged murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud. PTM also demands a truth and reconciliation commission must be established for all the people who are killed extrajudicially like Naqeebullah Mehsud in alleged fake encounters by the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan[2] The missing persons who are imprisoned at unknown places must be tried in a court of law, and forced disappearances must be stopped[3]
Torture of Pashtuns[]
PTM demands that torture and collective punishment against entire villages and tribes in the Pashtun tribal areas, especially after a violent incident, must be stopped[31] The humiliation of locals at army checkpoints in the Pashtun areas must be ended.[4]
Pashtun marches[]
Islamabad sit-in[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Pashtun_Tahafuz_Movement_Bannu_2018.jpg/220px-Pashtun_Tahafuz_Movement_Bannu_2018.jpg)
On 26 January 2018, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement organized a protest march starting from Dera Ismail Khan. Pashteen started the march along with 20 friends, but many people joined it along the way, as it passed through Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Domel, Karak, Kohat, and Darra Adam Khel, reaching Peshawar on 28 January.[32][33][34] Then after passing through Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, and Tarnol, the march reached Islamabad, where a sit-in called "All Pashtun National Jirga" was organized from 1 February outside the National Press Club. The jirga condemned the murder of the Pashtun labourer and aspiring model, Naqeebullah Mehsud, who was shot dead by police force in Karachi during an alleged encounter, and the alleged state oppression against the Pashtuns.[35] It asked the government to set up a judicial inquiry for Naqeebullah Mehsud, as well as for all the other Pashtuns murdered extrajudicially in police encounters. The jirga demanded to stop racial profiling of the Pashtuns in Pakistan, and to bring the Pashtun missing persons before the court of law, so that those who are innocent but held could be freed.[36] The jirga also demanded Pakistan Army to guarantee that they will not abduct or open fire on innocents in the tribal areas, or use violence or collective punishment against entire villages and tribes, and that they will not impose the frequent curfews on the movement of locals even after minor incidents.[37] Another demand was to remove all landminess planted in the tribal areas, which have resulted in many civilian casualties. The protesters said that since 2009, more than 35 people including children had been killed due to landmines in South Waziristan alone.[38]
The sit-in in Islamabad ended on 10 February, but the organizers of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement announced that they would reconvene the protest if their demands were not fulfilled by the government.[39] Advisor to Prime Minister on political affairs, Engr. Amir Muqam appeared in front of the protesters with the hand-written agreement from the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that included three clauses, agreeing to apprehend Rao Anwar, speed-up the clearing of Mines in South Waziristan, an intermediate college establishment in name of Naqeebullah Mehsud, and promised to addressed "genuine gravencies" raised by Jirga members.[40] Muqam also told the protestors, "the way you held the peaceful protest is really commendable and others should learn a lesson to record their protests this way. I’ll stand by you in trying times and you can come to discuss with me all of your legitimate issues anytime."[40]
On the 13th of May, 2018 Family members of missing Pakistanis participated in a protest rally by Pashtun Tahafuz Movement in Karachi, Pakistan by holding photos of their relatives
Public gatherings[]
PTM has held public demonstrations in Bajaur, Quetta, Wanna, Peshawar, Lahore, Swat, Karachi, Dera Ismail Khan, Swabi, Bannu, Cologne, Tank, Bamyan, Miramshah, Loralai, Charsadda, Zhob, and Chaman.[41]
Media blackouts[]
The powershows and rallys of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement are not shown by mainstream media channels as they are not allowed by the Establishment,[42] leaving social media as the primary channel for communicating with the rest of Pakistan and strengthening the narrative that the PTM is being ignored by the system.[43]
On 23 March, the PTM meeting was scheduled to be held in Peshawar University, but Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Islam Zeb, issued an order under section 144 CrPC, imposing ban on political meetings in University and stated any violation against the order shall be preceded against u/s 188 PPC and order will be exercised "for 30 days unless modified or withdrawn."[44] Later the meeting was held in Baghi-e-Naran, Hayatabad with 200 person attending the gathering.[44]
The movement's anthem is "Da Sanga Azadi Da?", which means "What kind of freedom is this?". Many Pashtun's have discovered their voice with this anthem and it encloses the various grievances they have from being caught between the militants and the military.[45][46]
On 26 April 2019, Mohsin Dawar tweeted that he and his fellow National Assembly member Ali Wazir were barred from holding a press conference at National Press Club (NPC) despite having prior bookings.[47] Many prominent politicians including Pakistan Peoples Party's Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Farhatullah Babar and Bushra Gohar condemned NPC for their move. The next day, NPC issued statement claiming that the lawmakers had not made any prior bookings.[48][49] The Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told the journalist Hamid Mir not to invite PTM members on media in response to a question by the journalist as to whether the media houses should invite PTM leaders on TV channels.[50] On 29 April 2019, Asif Ghafoor said PTM would no longer be tolerated. "Their time is up,"[51] he said of PTM at the press conference.[52][53]
Controversy[]
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emir Noor Wali Mehsud has expressed support for the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement.[54] Some expert believes that TTP expressing support for the PTM and other insurgents groups in Pakistan, suggest that TTP is trying to grow its support base in Pakistan.[54]
PTM openly criticizes the Pakistan Army and accuses the Pakistani state of violating the basic human rights of the Pashtuns,[55] while the Pakistan Army has claimed that PTM is backed by foreign powers and their gatherings are "engineered".[56][57] PTM claims that as a result, news organizations in Pakistan have been pressured to ignore PTM, and university professors have been forced to identify the students attending PTM's protest gatherings.[56] Some Pakistani politicians and journalists also view PTM as working on a foreign or Pashtun nationalist agenda.[58] However, PTM's leadership has claimed that they are protesting through peaceful means within the Constitution of Pakistan.[8]
Founder of Aware Girls, Gulalai Ismail, claimed she was threatened with death by the Inter-Services Intelligence after she joined the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and protested against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings allegedly conducted by the Pakistani state.[59] After raising awareness of sexual assault allegedly committed by Pakistani security forces on women, Gulalai Ismail fled the country as police forces were on their way to arrest her.[59]
Leaders of PTM including Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar have been criticized for making controversial remarks and using racial slurs against other ethnic groups in Pakistan.[60] Ali Wazir has also been criticized by Pakistani media for terming Lahore and Rawalpindi as "terrorist hotspots" and demanding United States to attack them in a speech in Charsadda.[61] Based on these remarks Information Minister of KPK , Shaukat Ali Yousafzai demanded him to be removed from National Assembly proceedings.[61]
See also[]
- Waziristan
- Killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud
- Manzoor Pashteen
- Ali Wazir
- Mohsin Dawar
- Enforced disappearances in Pakistan
- Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism
- Targeted killings in Pakistan
- People's Peace Movement (Afghanistan)
References[]
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- ^ Jump up to: a b c PTM seeks formation of commission on extrajudicial killings. Dawn. 23 April 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Produce missing persons in courts, says PTM. Dawn. 30 April 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Pakistan's Manzoor Pashteen: 'Pashtuns are fed up with war', dw.com, 2018-04-11.
- ^ "Manzoor Pashteen: The voice of Pashtuns for many in Pakistan". www.aljazeera.com. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
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- ^ Jump up to: a b "Pakistan's Counterproductive Dismissal of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement".
- ^ "Angry, Bitter, and Ignored in Afghanistan". Daily Pakistan. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Afghan Leader Roils Pakistan With Pashtun Comments". Voice of America. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "د پښتنو منظور پښتون له کومه راغی؟". BBC Pashto (in Pashto). 11 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
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- ^ Sama, Digital (15 November 2018). "A cross-border mystery: Timeline of SP Tahir Khan Dawar's murder". SAMAA TV. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ "SP Tahir Dawar's brother rejects JIT, calls for investigation at 'international level'". Dawn. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ "Tahir Dawar's kidnapping, murder probe: Family reiterates demand for international commission". The News International. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ "Activist Gulalai Ismail thanks PM Khan for 'ensuring her release' after 30-hour detention". Dawn. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Niazi, Abdullah. "Abdullah Nangyal, Gulalai Ismail among dozens of PTM workers held in capital". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "Rights activist Gulalai Ismail arrested from Islamabad". Dawn. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
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- ^ Alikozai, Hasib Danish (6 April 2018). "Hats Proliferate as Symbol of Pashtun Protest Movement". Voice of America. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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Mainstream television channels and media outlets are not reporting and covering the activities of the group. Their only medium to interact with the rest of Pakistan and to keep them updated is through social media. This further strengthens their narrative of being sidelined and ignored by the system.
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- ^ Gohar, Bushra (26 April 2019). "What a shame? Darta hain bandonkon walla purAman #PTM #Pashtun naujowano sa! #PakMediaUnderSiege". @BushraGohar (in Hindi). Retrieved 8 July 2019.
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Similarly, the TTP emir has also openly supported the recent Pashtun rights movement known as Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).
- ^ Taha Siddiqui (13 January 2018). "The PTM in Pakistan: Another Bangladesh in the making?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kathy Gannon. "Pashtun rights group accuses Pakistan army of abuses". Associated Press News.
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- ^ "Manzoor Pashteen's PTM: A 'Rights Movement' or a new 'Regional Agenda'?".
- ^ Jump up to: a b McDonnell, Tim (2 October 2019). "Escape To New York: Afraid For Her Life, A Pakistani Activist Seeks Asylum". NPR. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Statements of PTM against Tajiks in Afghanistan and against Punjabis in Pakistan need immediate attention". dnd.com.pk. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b https://activepaknews.com/ali-wazir-calls-us-to-destroy-pakistan/
- Pashtun Tahafuz Movement
- 2018 in Pakistan
- 2018 protests
- Activism in Pakistan
- Ethnic organisations based in Pakistan
- Human rights organisations based in Pakistan
- Pashtun nationalism
- Pashtun rights
- Pashtun politics
- Politics of Balochistan, Pakistan
- Politics of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
- Politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Protests in Pakistan
- Social movements in Afghanistan
- Social movements in Pakistan
- Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Censorship in Pakistan
- Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
- Human rights abuses in Pakistan
- 2014 establishments in Pakistan