Manzoor Pashteen, head of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, was barred from entering Balochistan. He was traveling with his colleagues on Monday, to Balochistan’s Chaman to condole with the family of Asad Khan Achakzai.
Manzoor Pashteen and his companions were prohibited to go to Chaman by the security forces. Security officials told them that they are barred from entering Balochistan.
Recently, the mutilated body of Awami National Party’s provincial spokesman Asad Khan Achakzai was recovered from Nohasar area of Quetta. He went missing from Quetta five months earlier. Pashteen was traveling to visit the family of ANP leader and offer his condolences.
It is to mention that Pashteen has been barred from entering Balochistan in the past as well. He was stopped earlier while he was going to Quetta to express solidarity with the families of Baloch missing persons.
Another PTM leader and member of National Assembly, Mohsin Dawar has also been prevented to enter Balochistan more than 3 times in the past.
Sana Ejaz, a PTM leader was also deported from Balochistan in January this year. Ejaz was inaugurating a library when Deputy Commissioner Zhob arrested her and issued a deportation order.
The Pashtun Tahhafuz Movement has been repeatedly thwarted from conducting activities in Balochistan where it boasts a significant audience.
PTM remains under fire; Pakistani court orders to block NICs of Pashteen, Dawar
PTM leaders, in particular its elected members to the National Assembly, have come under fire for pursuing the release of individuals detained by authorities without due process. The party has been critical of the state’s policies and specifically the army in Waziristan, for a large number of enforced disappearances and violations of human rights. The Pakistan army has alleged the party of running an anti-national agenda and for playing into the hands of the state enemies.