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.  

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched a blockade drill around Taiwan early Monday, as observers tracked the movements of the PLA aircraft carrier Liaoning operating east of the island.

Beijing’s military maneuvers followed a recent speech by Taiwan’s leader, William Lai Ching-te, who voiced a defiant stance on the island’s autonomy.

Senior Navy Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Front Command, stated that the Joint Sword-2024B exercise was conducted in areas north, south, and east of Taiwan, including the Taiwan Strait. The purpose of the drill, he explained, was to test the PLA’s joint operational capabilities.

The exercise, Li said, emphasized naval and air combat readiness patrols and the ability to blockade key ports and other strategic areas. “This is a strong deterrent against separatist actions by Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the state,” he added.

Exercise follows Lai’s provocative speech

The drill commenced four days after Lai’s speech, delivered on October 10, during Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. In his address, marking the anniversary of the 1911 revolution that led to the establishment of the Republic of China, Lai asserted that Beijing has no authority over Taiwan. He argued that the two sides of the strait should be regarded as equals.

Lai’s annual speech has become a focal point in recent years, serving as a platform for Taiwan to communicate its stance on cross-strait relations. In this year’s speech, he emphasized that “the two sides are not subordinate to each other,” reaffirming Taiwan’s autonomy.

US response and concerns

Reacting to the drill, the United States expressed serious concern. In a press release on Sunday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller described the PLA’s actions as “unwarranted” and cautioned that they “risked escalation.” Miller urged Beijing to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could destabilize the Taiwan Strait and the broader region. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to its one-China policy, as guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, three joint communiqués, and six assurances.

Chinese coast guard mobilization

On Monday, mainland China’s coast guard announced that it had deployed four fleets to patrol the waters surrounding Taiwan. A map accompanying the announcement displayed the fleets encircling the main island. Additionally, the Fujian Provincial Coast Guard stated it would operate near the Dongyin and Matsu islands, conducting drills focused on verification, embarkation inspections, control, and deportation operations. The purpose, according to the statement, was to test rapid response and emergency handling capabilities.

The Taiwanese government reported on Sunday that the Liaoning aircraft carrier had transited near the Bashi Channel en route to the western Pacific.

Testing the Liaoning’s capabilities

Lin Ying-yu, a professor of international relations and strategic studies at Tamkang University in New Taipei, noted that the drill aimed to test the Liaoning following a significant overhaul. “Like the Shandong aircraft carrier’s exercises in the Western Pacific during the 2023 Joint Sword drill, the Liaoning is undergoing similar training this time,” he said. Previously, the Liaoning had been criticized for its limited capability to support continuous fighter jet operations. Lin suggested that the PLA hopes the carrier’s upgrades will enhance its operational performance, bringing it closer to the dual-carrier capabilities demonstrated by the Shandong.

Previous drills and ongoing tensions

In May, the PLA Eastern Front Command held the Joint Sword-2024A exercise, which began three days after Lai’s inaugural address. Beijing condemned his speech as a “declaration of independence.” During that exercise, the PLA conducted drills in six regions around Taiwan, and the Chinese coast guard dispatched a fleet to enforce its presence in nearby waters.

According to a diagram published by CCTV, the current exercise is being conducted in zones that partially overlap with those used in May. However, it also includes new areas in the Taiwan Strait, northeast of Keelung City, and near Taitung on the island’s southeast coast.

In a statement, Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned the PLA’s actions as “unreasonable and provocative” and vowed to deploy appropriate forces to defend the island. On Monday morning, the ministry reported detecting 25 PLA aircraft, seven PLAN ships, and four other official vessels operating near Taiwan, with some aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan’s southwest and east air defense identification zones.

China’s continued deterrence

An opinion piece published on a social media account linked to China’s defense ministry criticized Lai’s National Day speech, describing it as divisive and a source of tension. Fu Zhengnan, a commentator from the PLA Academy of Military Sciences, told CCTV that the drill was intended to communicate that the PLA would not tolerate what it sees as incremental moves toward Taiwanese independence.

Similarly, Zhang Chi, a professor at the PLA’s National Defense University, remarked that the scope of Monday’s drill had expanded. He highlighted that the exercise significantly limited the operational space of Taiwan’s military, demonstrating the PLA’s enhanced joint operational capabilities in the vicinity of the island.

In the wake of reconciliatory efforts on the part of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the three-day Grand Pakhtoon Jirga commenced at Ghundai-Reegi connecting Jamrud Khyber with Peshawar. Peshawar is the sixth most populous city of Pakistan with over 4.7 million in the 2023 census, and it is the capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Thousands of people gathered in the Jirga, and the aim of this three-day assembly is to address forced disappearances, insecurity, and violence in Pashtun-majority areas of Pakistan.

Due to Tuesday and Wednesday security forces, organizers and volunteers have faced multiple issues and hurdles in arrangements. “Almost all of their tents, sound and light systems have already been impounded and destroyed by security forces but we are trying to finalize all arrangements as soon as possible,” remarked banned PTM activist Khairul Amin from Swabi.

He said that plastic sheets, tents and other items are on the way to the venue of Jirga from different places. Thousands of people, mostly youngsters from different areas, are pouring in Ghundai Jamrud to attend the Jirga. Amin said that around 80 sites (tent villages) were established for the accommodation of people. Similarly, food and other arrangements were also finalized.

Most of the participants are attaching great hopes with Jirga. Senior political activist Ms Asmat Shah Jehan said, “we want nothing else but peace and for the purposes they are confident about the results of PTM struggle.” She said that Pushtoons have suffered a lot in the last four decades and now they deserve peace.”

Pushtoons are facing too much humiliation in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other main cities and towns of Punjab

Irfan Khan who came from Rawalpindi said, “We Pushtoons are facing too much humiliation in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other main cities and towns of Punjab, therefore, we are requesting Manzoor and PTM to raise voices against this humiliation. Ms Nasima Kakar from Quetta Balochistan said, “on the pretext of terrorism and extremism, Pushtoons suffered a lot and it is Manzoor Pashteen who initiated a big voice against it.”

Earlier, efforts for settling the situation erupted with Wednesday firing against banned PTM workers proved successful late on Thursday night and Chief Minister Ali Amin said, “Grand Jirga will be held peacefully, and he will be its host.”

Earlier the day long talks and consultations were held at Chief Minister house, Governor House and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Besides others, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the day-long dialogues, which concluded with the empowering of the Chief Minister for settling the situation. Prior to becoming Chief Minister, a jirga headed by Speaker Salim Swati landed at Jamrud and held detailed talks with the PTM delegation. Later the Chief Minister and Manzoor Pashteen also joined the dialogue process, which concluded successfully.