The recent attack on peaceful Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) workers in Jamrud’s Ghandi Rigi Llama area, a Pashtun-dominated place in Pakistan, is yet another stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges faced by the Pakhtun community. For decades, the Pashtuns have been subjected to violence, suppression, and terror, simply for standing up against extremism and advocating for peace in a region long plagued by conflict. Despite their non-violent stance, these peace workers are being treated as enemies, punished for striving for a better future.
This culture of repression is not a new phenomenon; it has its origins in the colonial policies of the British Empire. The British rulers used heavy-handed tactics to control the Pakhtuns, and unfortunately, state institutions in Pakistan have inherited this oppressive legacy. The crackdown on the PTM workers mirrors this dark history, where peaceful resistance is met with violence, and where any voice calling for justice and equality is silenced.
The PTM workers gathered in a traditional Pakhtun Jirga, an ancient and respected tribal assembly, to discuss the pressing issues facing their community. The Jirga, a peaceful forum for resolving disputes and finding collective solutions, has been a cornerstone of Pashtun culture for centuries. Yet, despite the peaceful nature of their assembly, police opened fire, demonstrating the state’s disregard for this cultural institution. The subsequent endorsement of this brutal action by Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi only deepens the wound. In his remarks, Naqvi shockingly labeled the PTM, an organization founded on the principles of peace and non-violence, as terrorists.
PTM has never advocated for violence and rather called for the protection of Pashtun rights.
Such an inflammatory and unjust label is not only inaccurate but also dangerous. The PTM has never advocated violence. Instead, it has called for the protection of Pashtun rights, accountability for the injustices faced by their community, and a peaceful resolution to the long-standing issues plaguing their region. Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of PTM, along with his colleagues, has consistently called for dialogue and peaceful means to address their grievances. The state’s response, however, has been to frame them as a threat, rather than engage with their legitimate concerns.
The Pakhtun people are no strangers to hardship. From Bolan to Chitral, they have endured the brunt of terrorism, militancy, and religious extremism for the past four decades. The war on terror has devastated their homeland, and while many have fought against these forces of destruction, they have been rewarded with suspicion and violence from the state. The firing on PTM peace workers is yet another example of how those who seek peace are targeted and vilified.
It is important to note that not every Pakhtun or political worker from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is aligned with PTM. Many still have reservations about its methods or its approach. However, as terrorism and violence continue to grip the region, more and more Pakhtuns are rallying around PTM’s message of peace and resistance. The organization’s message resonates with a people who have suffered enough and who now seek to reclaim their right to live in peace.
It is worth mentioning that Pakhtun struggle has never been about secession or rebellion against the government of Pakistan.
The Pakhtun struggle has never been about secession or rebellion against the state. It has been about demanding their rights within the framework of Pakistan. The late Malik Mirza Alam Khan, one of the most respected tribal chiefs of Waziristan, once met with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pledge his support for Pakistan. Yet, years later, his family, like many others in the region, became victims of mysterious acts of violence. The story of Malik Mirza Alam Khan’s descendants, several of whom were killed in targeted attacks, is symbolic of the larger tragedy faced by the Pashtun community.
Despite these ongoing injustices, the PTM remains committed to its peaceful approach. Its leaders, including Manzoor Pashteen and Ali Wazir, have called for peace, not only for the Pashtuns but for all of Pakistan. Yet, they have been met with violence, imprisonment, and persecution. The state’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue and its decision to label peaceful workers as terrorists only serves to deepen the divide.
At a time when Pakistan faces numerous challenges, both internally and externally, the state should be fostering unity and listening to the voices of its people, not silencing them. The Pakhtun community, long marginalized and overlooked, deserves to be heard. Their demands for peace, justice, and accountability are not radical; they are the basic rights of any citizen.
In conclusion, the firing on PTM peace workers is a tragedy that underscores the need for a new approach to dealing with the grievances of the Pashtun people. It is time for the state to move away from the colonial legacy of repression and instead embrace dialogue, understanding, and peaceful resolution. The future of Pakistan depends on it.
