ISLAMABAD – Major blow to Pashtun Tahafuz Movement as federal government banned leftist party over anti-state activities.
A notification issued by Ministry of Interior said the federal government cited strong evidence for banning PTM as its leaders engage in activities against national security.
The party led by Manzoor Pashteen is accused of spreading anti-national rhetoric and contributing to social unrest. The government called it proscribed entity under Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.
PTM has also called for accountability for those responsible for these human rights violations through a truth and reconciliation framework. The move also sparked concerns among human rights advocates and supporters of the PTM.
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement PTM
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is dissent social movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns in KP and Balochistan. It was formed in 2014 by a group of students in Dera Ismail Khan, the movement rebranded from the “Mahsud Tahafuz Movement” to its current name in February 2018.
The party has organized public protests to demand accountability for police misconduct, the establishment of a truth commission for extrajudicial killings, resolution of cases involving missing persons, and the removal of landmines in tribal areas.
It was spearheaded by human rights activist Manzoor Pashteen, the movement includes notable activists like Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar.
The party identifies as peaceful, lawful resistance; however, it has faced accusations from the Pakistani military and some media of attempting to incite ethnic tensions and having foreign backing. The movement has also gained significant support from Afghanistan, reflecting the complex dynamics between the two countries.
PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen arrested for ‘attacking security personnel in Chaman’
