The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) held a thousands-strong gathering in the provincial capital Quetta against the extralegal arrest and subsequent imprisonment of PTM leaders Ali Wazir, Muhammad Hanif and others. Pashteen said that the Pakistani state has deprived the Pashtun and Baloch nations of their fundamental rights. He asked the Pashtun soldiers of Pakistan’s military and paramilitary forces to not fight the Baloch insurgents in case they are posted in Balochistan,
Monday’s gathering in Quetta was attended by thousands of individuals, including Pashtun and Baloch activists, social and political workers and family members of Baloch missing persons. PTM Chief Manzoor Pashteen addressed the crowd, saying that the Pashtun nation is now fighting for its survival. He said that other PTM leaders were killed and imprisoned because they rose up for their fundamental rights.
Pashteen said that the state is using all sorts of violent gangster tactics to quell the uprising – the people who are fighting for equality and Pashtun unity are being harassed by the state. On the other hand, the people who are involved in all sorts of violent crimes against innocent civilians are being negotiated with.
He said that the people who are just asking for their fundamental rights are now rotting in jails on insubstantial, made-up charges whereas criminals care roaming freely throughout the country. He further added that the so-called “independent judiciary” has failed to provide justice to the Pashtun nation and protect their rights; it is busy coddling the rich and the powerful elite of this country.
The PTM chief also chastised the media for its prejudicial behaviour, saying that they can find time to air trivial pieces of news – like the death of a dog somewhere – but don’t pay attention to the plight of the Pashtun people.
Pashteen said that it is our collective responsibility to unite on a common front and fight for our rights; we must promote brotherhood and compassion among ourselves and reach out to everyone who needs help. This is not an individual fight – we can only win if we work together hand-in-hand.
He said that the Pashtun youth are conscripted in the military or paramilitary forces and then sent off to Balochistan to fight the Baloch “pro-independence” groups. He asked his fellow Pashtun soldiers to not fight the Baloch insurgents if they are stationed in Balochistan.