Dr. Mahrang Baloch, organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has condemned the “use of force and violence” by Pakistani security forces against the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM).
Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Baloch criticized police actions aimed at disrupting the “Pashtun National Jirga,” a gathering organized by PTM.
“I strongly condemn the use of force and violence by security forces against PTM in an attempt to stop the Pashtun National Jirga,” Dr. Baloch wrote.
She characterized the crackdown as “an attempt to silence the voice of the Pashtun people,” referring to the reported assassination attempt on PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen. “The use of force against Pashtun political activists should be immediately halted,” she added.
Dr. Baloch also appealed to human rights organizations to take urgent notice of “state violence and force being used against political and human rights activists.”
Police Raids Target ‘Pashtun National Jirga’
PTM, a movement advocating for Pashtun rights, had established a camp in the Jamrud tehsil of Khyber to hold a “Pashtun National Jirga,” also referred to as the “Awami Adalat” (People’s Court).
The gathering, scheduled for October 11, aimed to address issues of “state-sponsored violence,” terrorism, and targeted killings affecting the Pashtun community.
On Tuesday night, police forces reportedly dismantled the camp in Jamrud, launching a series of raids. During these operations, gunfire and tear gas were used to disperse PTM activists, resulting in injuries to several members.
PTM members in Peshawar said that the gathering was peaceful and that they had not been asked to disperse prior to the police raids. According to activists, police forces arrived unexpectedly, dismantling tents and employing force, including tear gas and live fire.
Despite the raids, PTM activists have reportedly returned to the site, re-establishing the camp with the intention of proceeding with the planned jirga. However, official permission for the gathering has not yet been granted.
PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen underscored the movement’s resolve, stating, “The primary objective of this jirga is to address and prevent unrest in the region. We are determined to hold this jirga no matter what.”