Though the state organs especially, the powerful military establishment of Pakistan has made its best to shut voices raised against injustices and violence-based policies on the part of state organs, but the banned Pushtoon Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has made history. The PTM has not only proved its most “political and non violent organ” but it also established its identity as acceptable to almost all political parties-engaged in strange pulling for power and popularity.
Prior to commencing of formal proceedings, the PTM leader and his fellows bravely foiled all sorts of state restrictions, acts and actions against the three days traditional Pushtoon Jirga. No one can deny the fact that this three-day gathering has broken away all previous records of gatherings, Jirga and even rallies. It has also established the credibility as most peaceful and organized despite of government’s unprecedented tactics like banning PTM, arresting its over three hundred activists, raiding and ransacking the management camp, sitting on fire tents, impounding sound system, chairs and other materials and even opening indiscriminate firing against peaceful and armless workers, which caused lives to four and injuries to 16 others. Besides raiding houses of banned PTM activists in their native districts throughout the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the authorities concerned have blocked the Kohat Tunnel, which connecting Southern Pakhtunkhwa and almost Baluchistan with Peshawar, claiming someone parked explosive-laden pick up inside, just to create hurdles before convoys to PTM Jirga.
Pashtoon politicians asking for peace, stability and progress in their restive areas
On the other hand, the PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen has assembled almost all leaders and stalwarts of different political parties on one forum, especially staunch rivals from ruling PML(n) and its ally PPP and PTI of jailed Imran Khan. Since the completion of previous February 2024 general polls, PTI leaders have refused to sit across a table with PML(N) and PPP. The nationalist ANP has rejected the PTI request for a meeting. But last week, the PTM arranged Jirga, especially its banning by the federal government and killing and injuring of its activists has forced all rivals to sit across a table. All these political parties have unanimously sidelined the federal government decision in presence of the interior minister and allowed the banned PTM to hold its Jirga. Even the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government extended due boarding and lodging facilities to its audience. Maximum audience remained for over 80 hours under the open sky, sustaining sizzling heat at day time and chilly cold at night. But they have attached hopes-hopes of peace, stability, progress and prosperity for them and their next generation.
Among other demands, the jirga had called for:
– Withdrawal of Pakistani security forces as well as good and bad Taliban (TTP) from the region within two months.
– Relaxed trade with its neighbor Afghanistan.
– End to extortion.
– Guarantee of the local population’s first rights to the region’s resources
– Uninterrupted supply of cheap electricity in KP
– Steps to establish representative Jirgas for the resolution of inter-tribal disputes
– Resettlement of persons displaced by terrorism and military operations
– End to military interference in politics
– Formation of a judicial commission to inquire into the killings of PTM workers
Pasthoons ask Pakistani security forces and banned Pakistani Taliban militants to leave KP within two months
Whatever might be the reaction of government and state organs but in presence of Governor, Chief Minister and several others mostly occupying important parliamentary and executive offices, the Jirga participants through its DECLARATION has expressed non-confidence in government and state organs almost policies, especially acts and actions aimed at what the authorities call, handling the serious issue of security and terror. Even through this declaration, the military establishment and terrorists especially banned TTP have been held responsible for killing thousands of Pushtoons and destroying their properties and infrastructures. And on such grounds, the jirga asked both sides to leave the region-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within two months. Similarly the Jirga has demanded restoration of old procedures of traveling and trading through Pak Afghan border, called Durand Line . The Jirga has also shown severe resentment over ill-treatment of Pushtoons in other provinces like Punjab and Sindh, demanding early issuing of blocked National Identity cards otherwise it threatened of surrendering all National Identity Cards and Passports unblock.
Now going into detail about the proceedings and declaration of Jirga, it could be considered a “serious warning” to state organs from Pushtoons who are second in population throughout the country. But at the same time, majority signatories to these historical documents are much more patriotic. They are determined to sovereignty and solidarity of the country but they have endorsed feeding up of Pushtoons due to indifferent attitude on the part of rulers. Instead of becoming angry or emotional, high ups sitting in state corridors at Rawalpindi/Islamabad need to review its own internal and external policies. All such policies utterly failed and instead of good, it badly affected the country’s image at global forums.
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