Photo: @PashtunCourt via X
Pakistani police forces have launched a series of raids against the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in Khyber and Peshawar, dismantling a camp set up for a public assembly scheduled for October 11.
The camp was established by PTM activists in Jamrud tehsil, Khyber, to hold a jirga titled “Awami Adalat” (People’s Court). The assembly is expected to discuss issues such as “state-sponsored violence,” terrorism, and targeted killings affecting the Pashtun community.
Multiple Police Raids on Jirga Camp
Reports indicate that police forces from Khyber and Peshawar carried out multiple raids on the PTM camp, starting late Tuesday night and continuing into Thursday.
During the initial raids on Tuesday night and early Wednesday, police reportedly uprooted the camp, seized materials, and used tear gas while firing into the air to disperse activists. The site was allegedly set ablaze during the raids.
PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen described the events on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The police in Peshawar have launched an attack on the administrative camp of the Khyber Jirga. The Pashtun youth who had arrived to organize the event were met with gunfire and tear gas shelling.” He further noted that “many individuals have been injured or are unconscious,” urging supporters to gather at the Jirga ground near Jamrud.
Despite these police actions, PTM activists regrouped at the site on Wednesday, near the Regi Lalma residential complex, attempting to rebuild the camp and calling for reinforcements. However, a renewed police raid on Wednesday afternoon saw more campaign materials burned and multiple reports of injuries due to tear gas and live fire.
In response to the police actions on Tuesday and Wednesday, PTM activists vowed to continue their resistance and not vacate the site of the planned three-day “Awami Adalat.” “More workers are expected to join us by Thursday,” a PTM worker said.
The Pashtun National Jirga organizing committee also posted on X on Wednesday, reporting the actions: “The Pakistani military has started a brutal crackdown on Pashtuns preparing for a peaceful gathering on the plains of Khyber. #PTM Peshawar coordinator abducted. Why is the state afraid of Pashtuns gathering for peaceful deliberations? #StopCrackdownOnPTM.”
Later, on Thursday night, Pashteen updated followers about a renewed police raid, posting on X: “The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police are advancing in large numbers for a renewed attack on the Khyber Jirga ground. Mobile signals and internet services have been cut off in Khyber.”
He later reported that police, accompanied by individuals in plain clothes, had begun another raid on the camp. The communication blackout made it difficult to receive further updates from the scene.
Raids and Arrests of PTM Leaders Ahead of Jirga
In the days leading up to the planned jirga on October 11 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a series of police raids across Pakistan targeted leaders and members of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM). Key activists were detained in what PTM leaders describe as a nationwide crackdown on their organization.
Sherzadeh Maseed, a PTM leader from South Waziristan, reported that several prominent activists, including Alamzeb Mahsud—known for his advocacy against enforced disappearances—were detained. Similar raids were conducted throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with PTM leaders facing beatings and arrests.
In a statement, the Pashtun National Jirga Committee condemned what it described as a “troubling escalation,” noting that 10 to 15 PTM members have been arrested across multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Momand, Karak, Mardan, Bannu, South Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Karachi, the southern seaport city, PTM leader Nurullah Tareen stated that eight members were arrested on terrorism charges following a September 27 meeting aimed at organizing the jirga. Further arrests took place during police raids on October 2 and 3, with PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen reporting that workers were forcibly taken and beaten at the site of the jirga.
Condemnation and Reactions
The Pashtun National Jirga organizing committee condemned what they termed the “excessive use of force” by police in their raids on the PTM encampment ahead of the scheduled jirga.
The committee criticized actions that included tear gas shelling, arrests, and the burning of the camp. They argued that this crackdown contradicted assurances provided by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had previously guaranteed security for the gathering.
The committee expressed concerns over the government’s approach to peaceful assembly, stating, “While advocating for peaceful protests in Punjab and other regions, the government denies the same right to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
They called for an immediate halt to the crackdown, a thorough investigation into the incident, and security guarantees for the camp, emphasizing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The committee also urged civil society, human rights defenders, and democratic forces to speak out against what they described as state repression of the Pashtun people.
The raids sparked additional criticism from political figures and activists. Mohsin Dawar, a former lawmaker and a prominent Pashtun leader, posted on X: “Beyond shameful how the Pakhtunkhwa police under PTI’s government are cracking down on PTM’s Jirga camp. They have destroyed their tents and equipment and are using force against PTM members. PTI complains about facing brutality in Punjab while perpetrating violence in Pakhtunkhwa.”
Activist and academic Nida Kirmani drew parallels with previous crackdowns on Baloch National Gathering, stating, “The state crackdown against the #PashtunNationalCourt11Oct seems to be following a similar pattern as the crackdown against the #BalochRaajiMuchi. The last time, it only strengthened the movement. This time it is bound to do the same. The state learns nothing from its mistakes.”
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak highlighted the violation of constitutional rights, posting: “Widespread crackdown on PTM activists brazenly violates the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Both the federal and provincial governments cannot absolve themselves from the responsibility of this brutal repression.”
KP Government Cites Federal Orders for PTM Camp Raid
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government stated that the raids on the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) camp were carried out following “direct orders” from the federal government.
According to KP authorities, the federal interior ministry issued a directive to the KP chief secretary, expressing concerns about PTM’s activities. The ministry alleged that PTM had been involved in “patronizing and assisting the incitement of hatred and contempt against the state and its institutions,” while also exploiting “sectarian and ethnic sentiments” through various media, including literature, print, and electronic platforms.
The letter from the interior ministry emphasized that such activities by PTM were “detrimental to public peace and the principles of statehood,” calling for “strict regulation and intervention” against the group’s activities.