THE Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), presented as an anti-war peace initiative, is marked by undemocratic attitudes, hate speech, and threats of Pashtun rebellion against Pakistan. Manzoor Pashteen’s derogatory rhetoric has hindered PTM’s societal support. The idea of an unarmed Pashtun tribal army is contradictory, given Pashtun traditions of revenge and weaponry, and risks becoming a violent entity. Such initiatives, akin to Fitna-ul-Khwarij, violate Article 256 of Pakistan’s Constitution. Pashteen’s threats of rebellion expose PTM’s anti-social agenda, contradicting its claims of non-violence. Consequently, politically aware Pashtuns reject PTM’s divisive motives.
Manzoor Pashteen incites rebellion against security forces, polarizing Pashtuns and disrupting anti-terror operations, while Khawarij chief Noor Wali Mehsud united terrorist subgroups to revive terrorism in KP. Pashteen’s rhetoric has indirectly facilitated Pashtun deaths in attacks. PTM’s criticism of anti-terror measures supports an environment favorable to TTP activities, risking increased terrorism. Its hate speech and derogatory language undermine its human rights narrative and promote radical sentiments among Pashtun youth, encouraging extremist recruitment. These actions contradict the larger interest of peace, making PTM’s demands unacceptable for maintaining stability in the country. PTM leadership is racist in its approach to peace and it is exploiting Pashtun identity for fragmentation. It is concerned only with Pashtun victims of violence; it lacks inclusiveness which is against the basic values of democracy. Terrorism has effected the lives of other ethnic communities in Pakistan as well; therefore, the leadership of PTM shows racist tendencies in the approach to peace. Moreover, terrorist outfits are committing atrocities on innocent people, but PTM is not organizing Pashtun Jirga to outcast commanders of TTP which could be very useful in tackling the exploitation of the Pashtun youth by terrorists on a social level.
Indeed, PTM leaders could not address the issue of Pashtun recruitment by terrorist outfits and they avoided responding to queries about Pashtun susceptibility to violent extremism. This indicates a lack of understanding of the true nature of the issue as well as a lack of sincerity and courage in confronting the Taliban. Khawarij exploited the culture of vengeance and the practice of carrying arms to promote terrorism in the Pashtun heartland, while PTM failed to promote healthy conduct in this regard. In fact, PTM has also failed to appreciate the sacrifices of Pashtuns as patriotic Pashtuns are part of the Pakistan Army in large numbers to protect their motherland following the culture and tradition of bravery. Therefore, people have rejected criticism of PTM based on efforts by the defence forces and law enforcement agencies in the war against terrorism.
As a matter of fact, PTM’s use of harsh and derogatory language for security institutions in Pakistan and its soft tune towards Afghan Taliban, Khawarij, and other militant outfits is dubious and the creation of a Pashtun tribal army is also unacceptable for peace- loving people in the country. Therefore, imposing a ban on PTM has become inevitable and the government has declared it a threat to peace and security of the country in accordance with laws in Pakistan to curb its nefarious designs.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
