The Pakistan Government banned the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a group that fights for the rights of ethnic Pashtuns, citing it as a threat to national security. Watch for more details!

Pakistan Imposes Ban on Pashtun Tahafuz Movement

Pakistan Government Imposes Ban on Ethnic Pashtun Party

While <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Pakistan </a>Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Imran Khan</a> continues to harp about the rights of the people of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Kashmir</a>, he is now facing protests about Pakistan's continued interference in Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir.

People from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khans-remarks-summons-pak-diplomat-recalls-its-envoy-205858">Afghanistan </a>protested outside the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Pakistan </a>embassy in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Kabul </a>against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Islamabad</a>'s continued interference in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Kashmir </a>and in Afghanistan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/calling-imran-khans-bluff-india-needs-to-realign-its-pakistan-policy-190867">Calling Imran Khan’s bluff: India needs to realign its Pakistan policy</a>

The protesters were seen carrying placards like ''down with Pakistan'' and ''Pakistan is enemy''.

They also demanded the release of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pashtun-tahaffuz-movement-stage-protest-against-state-atrocities-133496">Manzoor Pashteen</a>, the chief of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pashtun-tahaffuz-movement-stage-protest-against-state-atrocities-133496">Pashtun Tahafuz Movement</a>, a movement for the protection of ethnic Pashtun people in Pakistan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pashtun-tahaffuz-movement-stage-protest-against-state-atrocities-133496">Meet Manzoor Pashteen, the man leading protests to defy Pakistan army</a>

The 27-year-old activist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khans-remarks-summons-pak-diplomat-recalls-its-envoy-205858">Pashteen</a>, was arrested along with nine supporters in Peshawar last month and has been sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

The protests dampened the embassy's plans to hold the so-called Kashmir solidarity day which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khans-remarks-summons-pak-diplomat-recalls-its-envoy-205858">Pakistan </a>observes every year on February 5.

Pakistan has been marking this day since 1990 by calling for the secession of Kashmir from India.

While Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan continues to harp about the rights of the people of Kashmir, he is now facing protests about Pakistan's continued interference in Jammu and Kashmir.

While Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan continues to harp about the rights of the people of Kashmir, he is now facing protests about Pakistan's continued interference in Jammu and Kashmir. People from Afghanistan protested outside the Pakistan embassy in Kabul against Islamabad's continued interference in Kashmir and in Afghanistan. Also read: Calling Imran Khan’s bluff: India needs to realign its Pakistan policy The protesters were seen carrying placards like ''down with Pakistan'' and ''Pakistan is enemy''. They also demanded the release of Manzoor Pashteen, the chief of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a movement for the protection of ethnic Pashtun people in Pakistan. Also read: Meet Manzoor Pashteen, the man leading protests to defy Pakistan army The 27-year-old activist Pashteen, was arrested along with nine supporters in Peshawar last month and has been sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand. The protests dampened the embassy's plans to hold the so-called Kashmir solidarity day which Pakistan observes every year on February 5. Pakistan has been marking this day since 1990 by calling for the secession of Kashmir from India.

Afghans protest outside Pakistan embassy in Kabul

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sikh-youth-killed-by-unidentified-person-in-peshawar-272286">Khyber Pakhtunkhwa</a> on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region. 
 
'Pashtun Long March' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/pakistan-government-using-religion-to-create-rift-says-pok-activist-259839">Federally Administered Tribal Areas</a> (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces. 
 
The march was called by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-parliament-approves-extending-term-of-army-chief-272783">Pashtun Tahafuz Movement</a> (PTM), a political party, which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. 
 
Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani Arm, gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Pakistan</a>. 
 
The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event. #PashtunLongMarch2 Bannu was seen trending to the Pakistani Twitter. 
 
"A massive gathering with an amazing ecstatic spirit of PTM long march in Bannu against atrocities of state &amp; demanding truth commission to probe the brutalities inflicted on Pashtun land &amp; seek justice. You can jail, kill or disappear us but you can't ignore us," said a user. 
 
Pakistanis chided media for not reporting the march. 
 
"It is the responsibility of media to give coverage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-protests-erupt-at-punjab-university-after-former-chairman-goes-missing-265675">Pashtun March</a>. In the age of social media, people know what is happening. You cannot hide the news, indeed, it damages your credibility," said a Twitterati. 
 
"Internet off, no coverage in Pak media as Pashtun long march takes place to Bannu," said another.

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region.

A massive number of protestors participated in a Pashtun unity march in Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday against the atrocities inflicted by the military and demanded the formation of a commission to probe the army brutalities in the region. 'Pashtun Long March' is a protest movement led by young Pashtuns from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where they have long been the targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the security forces. The march was called by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a political party, which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. Demonstrators condemned the atrocities carried out by the Pakistani Arm, gross human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions of their leaders and workers living in Pakistan. The protests are being carried out on a large scale. However, Pakistani media has been mum about the event. #PashtunLongMarch2 Bannu was seen trending to the Pakistani Twitter. "A massive gathering with an amazing ecstatic spirit of PTM long march in Bannu against atrocities of state & demanding truth commission to probe the brutalities inflicted on Pashtun land & seek justice. You can jail, kill or disappear us but you can't ignore us," said a user. Pakistanis chided media for not reporting the march. "It is the responsibility of media to give coverage of Pashtun March. In the age of social media, people know what is happening. You cannot hide the news, indeed, it damages your credibility," said a Twitterati. "Internet off, no coverage in Pak media as Pashtun long march takes place to Bannu," said another.

Pashtun unity march in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against Pak military brutalities

At least three persons were killed and 15 others, including five soldiers, injured as members from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, led by two MPs, allegedly attacked an army check post in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan region on Sunday.

MPs Ali Wazir and Mohsin Javed attacked the Kharqamar check post in North Waziristan tribal district.

Due to the firing of the group, five army soldiers got injured. In exchange of fire, three individuals who attacked the post lost their lives and 10 others got injured, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing, said.

The army said that they wanted to exert pressure for the release of suspected terrorists' facilitator who was recently arrested.

It said that the troops at the check post exercised maximum restraint in the face of provocation and direct firing on the post.

"All injured were taken to the army hospital for treatment. Ali Wazir along with 8 individuals have been arrested while Mohsin Javed is at large after inciting the crowd," the statement added.

The attackers apparently belonged to the PTM, which says it was working for the rights of local Pushtu-speaking people.

However, the army said that the group is supported by anti-Pakistan elements from across the border in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Army said that the group also allegedly received monetary support from Indian spy agencies.&nbsp;

At least three persons were killed and 15 others, including five soldiers, injured as members from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, led by two MPs, allegedly attacked an army check post in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan region on Sunday.

At least three persons were killed and 15 others, including five soldiers, injured as members from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, led by two MPs, allegedly attacked an army check post in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan region on Sunday. MPs Ali Wazir and Mohsin Javed attacked the Kharqamar check post in North Waziristan tribal district. Due to the firing of the group, five army soldiers got injured. In exchange of fire, three individuals who attacked the post lost their lives and 10 others got injured, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing, said. The army said that they wanted to exert pressure for the release of suspected terrorists' facilitator who was recently arrested. It said that the troops at the check post exercised maximum restraint in the face of provocation and direct firing on the post. "All injured were taken to the army hospital for treatment. Ali Wazir along with 8 individuals have been arrested while Mohsin Javed is at large after inciting the crowd," the statement added. The attackers apparently belonged to the PTM, which says it was working for the rights of local Pushtu-speaking people. However, the army said that the group is supported by anti-Pakistan elements from across the border in Afghanistan. Pakistani Army said that the group also allegedly received monetary support from Indian spy agencies.

Pakistan MPs-led group attacks army check post; 3 killed, 15 injured

Much milder and measuredly less charismatic than his predecessor Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's new army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa took to the stage on April 12 to address an investiture ceremony at the army's General HQ in Rawalpindi. General Bajwa took this opportunity to denounce a protest movement that had been dominating public discourse in the country for the two preceding weeks despite a media blackout - the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) or Pashtun Protection Movement.

In typical Pakistani fashion, General Bajwa called the protests "engineered". As is pitifully often the case, the allusion was that there was a "foreign hand" behind these protests and Pakistani military pages on social media blamed CIA, R&AW, NDS and even Mossad of all agencies of supporting the movement's leader Manzoor Pashteen. These allegations are perfectly in line with the victimhood narrative that is painfully prevalent in Pakistan. As former US Ambassador Husain Haqqani puts it, painting any unflattering analysis as "foreign inspired" or "anti-state" shuts the door for course correction. And lo and behold, there is much course correction needed as far as the PTM's demands are concerned.

Originally founded in 2014 in Pakistan's FATA region, the PTM has been protesting against forced disappearances of Pashtuns, stereotyping of Pashtuns as militants, their harassment at excessive military checkposts and curbing of civilian life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, removal of landmines responsible for countless deaths in FATA and Pashtuns being part of collateral damage in the war waged by the Pakistan Army against the Taliban and other militants in Pakistan's North-West. The discontent amongst Pakistan's Pashtuns had been bubbling for quite some time and burst on to the scene after being catalysed by the extra-judicial murder of a young FATA native in Karachi by the name of Naqeebullah Mehsud. Mehsud's murder allowed this movement to burst onto the mainstream under the leadership of its charismatic young leader Manzoor Pashteen in a country where ethnic and religious minorities have often complained of discrimination. However, despite a mammoth rally held in Peshawar on the April 8 with tens of thousands in attendance, there was no media coverage for the movement. Ostensibly on instruction of the Pakistani military the movement got no coverage on any mainstream media outlets. This was a classic example of the ruthless and unjust media censorship often undertaken by Pakistan's armed forces.

Op-ed pieces in national dailies on the topic of the PTM were rejected as Pakistani intelligentsia took to Twitter to denounce the censorship. The Daily Times, a leading national daily saw its website blocked after printing articles about the movement. Any and all discussion about the PTM's demands was bulwarked on primetime television and coverage of the movement remained restricted to social media. Even so, those who gave light to the movement on social media were described as "foreign agents" or "anti-state elements" in a style so very becoming of the typical schizophrenic conservative Pakistani mindset.

The PTM has not endeared itself to the military with slogans such as "The uniform is behind terrorism" and "General, Colonel Terrorist!" but one must realise the angst that these Pashtuns hold in their hearts. For years, theirs has been a war-ravaged land with indiscriminate action against "terrorists", with the military's ISPR doing the only official reporting of casualties in the operation against militants. Thousands of Pashtuns have been displaced and even more have been whisked away by military agencies under suspicion of being militants. Moreover, FATA's status as an autonomous region keeps it outside the constitution where few Pakistani laws are applied and courts have no jurisdiction. The PTM presses for these regions to be brought on equal footing with the rest of the country but unfortunately this has not been the case due to political reasons far beyond the scope of this article. After attracting hordes in Peshawar, the PTM took to Punjab to attract more support. But its April 22 protest in the city did not receive the required 'No Objection Certificate' from the government. Protests are to go ahead despite this rejection. Only time will tell what becomes of this gathering.

Whilst there is no doubt that the demands of the PTM are legitimate, the problem lies in the deafening paranoia of the Pakistani populace who are calling this movement "foreign inspired". By calling their Pashutn counterparts Indian agents not only are they alienating them, they are also closing the door for any constructive discourse to take place on the matter. The military has played a major role in shaping this narrative with the very chief of the armed forces calling the protests engineered. This narrative of labelling any and all criticism as anti-state has to change for any real progress to take place in Pakistan. As far as the PTM is concerned, they must stick to their guns and move forward with their genuine demands.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

Originally founded in 2014 in Pakistan's FATA region, the PTM has been protesting against forced disappearances of Pashtuns.

Much milder and measuredly less charismatic than his predecessor Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's new army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa took to the stage on April 12 to address an investiture ceremony at the army's General HQ in Rawalpindi. General Bajwa took this opportunity to denounce a protest movement that had been dominating public discourse in the country for the two preceding weeks despite a media blackout - the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) or Pashtun Protection Movement. In typical Pakistani fashion, General Bajwa called the protests "engineered". As is pitifully often the case, the allusion was that there was a "foreign hand" behind these protests and Pakistani military pages on social media blamed CIA, R&AW, NDS and even Mossad of all agencies of supporting the movement's leader Manzoor Pashteen. These allegations are perfectly in line with the victimhood narrative that is painfully prevalent in Pakistan. As former US Ambassador Husain Haqqani puts it, painting any unflattering analysis as "foreign inspired" or "anti-state" shuts the door for course correction. And lo and behold, there is much course correction needed as far as the PTM's demands are concerned. Originally founded in 2014 in Pakistan's FATA region, the PTM has been protesting against forced disappearances of Pashtuns, stereotyping of Pashtuns as militants, their harassment at excessive military checkposts and curbing of civilian life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, removal of landmines responsible for countless deaths in FATA and Pashtuns being part of collateral damage in the war waged by the Pakistan Army against the Taliban and other militants in Pakistan's North-West. The discontent amongst Pakistan's Pashtuns had been bubbling for quite some time and burst on to the scene after being catalysed by the extra-judicial murder of a young FATA native in Karachi by the name of Naqeebullah Mehsud. Mehsud's murder allowed this movement to burst onto the mainstream under the leadership of its charismatic young leader Manzoor Pashteen in a country where ethnic and religious minorities have often complained of discrimination. However, despite a mammoth rally held in Peshawar on the April 8 with tens of thousands in attendance, there was no media coverage for the movement. Ostensibly on instruction of the Pakistani military the movement got no coverage on any mainstream media outlets. This was a classic example of the ruthless and unjust media censorship often undertaken by Pakistan's armed forces. Op-ed pieces in national dailies on the topic of the PTM were rejected as Pakistani intelligentsia took to Twitter to denounce the censorship. The Daily Times, a leading national daily saw its website blocked after printing articles about the movement. Any and all discussion about the PTM's demands was bulwarked on primetime television and coverage of the movement remained restricted to social media. Even so, those who gave light to the movement on social media were described as "foreign agents" or "anti-state elements" in a style so very becoming of the typical schizophrenic conservative Pakistani mindset. The PTM has not endeared itself to the military with slogans such as "The uniform is behind terrorism" and "General, Colonel Terrorist!" but one must realise the angst that these Pashtuns hold in their hearts. For years, theirs has been a war-ravaged land with indiscriminate action against "terrorists", with the military's ISPR doing the only official reporting of casualties in the operation against militants. Thousands of Pashtuns have been displaced and even more have been whisked away by military agencies under suspicion of being militants. Moreover, FATA's status as an autonomous region keeps it outside the constitution where few Pakistani laws are applied and courts have no jurisdiction. The PTM presses for these regions to be brought on equal footing with the rest of the country but unfortunately this has not been the case due to political reasons far beyond the scope of this article. After attracting hordes in Peshawar, the PTM took to Punjab to attract more support. But its April 22 protest in the city did not receive the required 'No Objection Certificate' from the government. Protests are to go ahead despite this rejection. Only time will tell what becomes of this gathering. Whilst there is no doubt that the demands of the PTM are legitimate, the problem lies in the deafening paranoia of the Pakistani populace who are calling this movement "foreign inspired". By calling their Pashutn counterparts Indian agents not only are they alienating them, they are also closing the door for any constructive discourse to take place on the matter. The military has played a major role in shaping this narrative with the very chief of the armed forces calling the protests engineered. This narrative of labelling any and all criticism as anti-state has to change for any real progress to take place in Pakistan. As far as the PTM is concerned, they must stick to their guns and move forward with their genuine demands. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Of Pashtuns and provocation

The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) lent their voice to the ongoing Pashtun struggle in Pakistan, highlighting the struggles the people of the minority community face in the military-controlled nation.

According to their study, Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has been demanding basic human rights for the Pashtun community in Pakistan and the release of disappeared individuals, allegedly abducted by the country's intelligence agencies.

Pashteen asserted on his belief in the rule of law and his demand included presenting the disappeared persons in court, which should be the only grounds to gauge their culpability for the alleged crimes.

Another one of the PTM's demands is the abolishment of the Front Crimes Regulations (FCR), a law which was enacted by the British Empire in an attempt to cease any rebellion by the Pashtuns. The FCR has been deemed by many as a 'legal tool' to violate human rights of the Pashtun community in Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

A former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, while commenting on the FCR, said that it is "obnoxious to all recognized modern principles governing the dispensation of justice".

Former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, amended the FCR in 2011, yet it has been castigated for its lack of effectiveness and implementation of the revised law.

The study also mentioned the apparent blackout by the Pakistan media during the rally held by Pashtun Youth in Peshawar on April 8, wherein Pashteen delivered an impassionate speech.

"This attitude of the Pakistani media has been a recurring phenomenon when Baloch, Sindhis and Kashmiris have made demands for justice and protested against exploitation of their resources. Often, such protests and demands are conveniently branded as 'Anti-national'and quickly claimed to be supported by 'foreign hands'," the study noted.

According to the study, international experts and analysts say that the reasons behind the inaction of the Pakistani media are closely linked with the military establishments. The media is intimidated with grave consequences it may face if it provides coverage to anything which puts the powerful Military rulers of Pakistan in a bad light.

"Attacks on journalists, like the one on Hamid Mir in 2014 because of extensive reporting on the Taliban, attributed to 'unidentified gunmen', but believed to have been carried out by intelligence agencies, further substantiate this notion," the study added.

Furthermore, in an attempt to bury incidents of human rights violations, the Army and other intelligence agencies often commit more human rights violations. It has been reported that the Police have filed criminal cases against Pashteen for criticizing the government and security agencies.

The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or Pashtun Protection Movement was started mainly by young Pashtun activists who are demanding an end to what they say are human rights violations by authorities in the country's tribal regions.

They have been calling for the removal of military checkpoints in tribal areas and an end to "enforced disappearances" in which suspects are detained by security forces without due process.

The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) lent their voice to the ongoing Pashtun struggle in Pakistan, highlighting the struggles the people of the minority community face in the military-controlled nation

The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) lent their voice to the ongoing Pashtun struggle in Pakistan, highlighting the struggles the people of the minority community face in the military-controlled nation. According to their study, Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has been demanding basic human rights for the Pashtun community in Pakistan and the release of disappeared individuals, allegedly abducted by the country's intelligence agencies. Pashteen asserted on his belief in the rule of law and his demand included presenting the disappeared persons in court, which should be the only grounds to gauge their culpability for the alleged crimes. Another one of the PTM's demands is the abolishment of the Front Crimes Regulations (FCR), a law which was enacted by the British Empire in an attempt to cease any rebellion by the Pashtuns. The FCR has been deemed by many as a 'legal tool' to violate human rights of the Pashtun community in Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). A former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, while commenting on the FCR, said that it is "obnoxious to all recognized modern principles governing the dispensation of justice". Former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, amended the FCR in 2011, yet it has been castigated for its lack of effectiveness and implementation of the revised law. The study also mentioned the apparent blackout by the Pakistan media during the rally held by Pashtun Youth in Peshawar on April 8, wherein Pashteen delivered an impassionate speech. "This attitude of the Pakistani media has been a recurring phenomenon when Baloch, Sindhis and Kashmiris have made demands for justice and protested against exploitation of their resources. Often, such protests and demands are conveniently branded as 'Anti-national'and quickly claimed to be supported by 'foreign hands'," the study noted. According to the study, international experts and analysts say that the reasons behind the inaction of the Pakistani media are closely linked with the military establishments. The media is intimidated with grave consequences it may face if it provides coverage to anything which puts the powerful Military rulers of Pakistan in a bad light. "Attacks on journalists, like the one on Hamid Mir in 2014 because of extensive reporting on the Taliban, attributed to 'unidentified gunmen', but believed to have been carried out by intelligence agencies, further substantiate this notion," the study added. Furthermore, in an attempt to bury incidents of human rights violations, the Army and other intelligence agencies often commit more human rights violations. It has been reported that the Police have filed criminal cases against Pashteen for criticizing the government and security agencies. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or Pashtun Protection Movement was started mainly by young Pashtun activists who are demanding an end to what they say are human rights violations by authorities in the country's tribal regions. They have been calling for the removal of military checkpoints in tribal areas and an end to "enforced disappearances" in which suspects are detained by security forces without due process.

European think tank highlights struggles of Pashtun community in Pakistan

Expressing concerns over the alleged human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan, a US-based Mohajir group has urged all ethnic and religious groups to unite and form a &quot;greater alliance&quot; against the government&#39;s discriminatory policies.

Throwing its weight behind the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, the &#39;Free Karachi &#39; campaign, launched by Muhajirs in the US to raise awareness about the plight of Muhajirs, said religious minority and ethnic groups in Pakistan were increasingly becoming victims of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces.

Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or PTM is a social movement for Pashtun human rights and is based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Balochistan.

The term Muhajir is used to describe the Urdu-speaking immigrants who left India in 1947 and came to Pakistan. A large chunk of them settled in the Sindh province.

Nadeem Nusrat, spokesperson for the &#39;Free Karachi &#39; campaign, urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a &quot;greater alliance&quot; against Pakistani state&#39;s inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan.

Strongly condemning the false cases registered against the Pashtun leadership on raising their voice against the discriminatory policies of the Pakistan Army, Nusrat termed the acts as a violation of fundamental rights.

&quot;Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins,&quot; Nusrat said.

Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed, he claimed.

The policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom-loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan, he said.

Nusrat asserted that Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and they will continue to play their important role in achieving this goal.&nbsp;

A US-based Mohajir group has urged all ethnic and religious groups to unite and form a 'greater alliance' against the government's discriminatory policies

Expressing concerns over the alleged human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan, a US-based Mohajir group has urged all ethnic and religious groups to unite and form a "greater alliance" against the government's discriminatory policies. Throwing its weight behind the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, the 'Free Karachi ' campaign, launched by Muhajirs in the US to raise awareness about the plight of Muhajirs, said religious minority and ethnic groups in Pakistan were increasingly becoming victims of gross human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces. Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or PTM is a social movement for Pashtun human rights and is based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Balochistan. The term Muhajir is used to describe the Urdu-speaking immigrants who left India in 1947 and came to Pakistan. A large chunk of them settled in the Sindh province. Nadeem Nusrat, spokesperson for the 'Free Karachi ' campaign, urged all ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan to form a "greater alliance" against Pakistani state's inhuman policies in Sindh, Balochistan, KPK, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan. Strongly condemning the false cases registered against the Pashtun leadership on raising their voice against the discriminatory policies of the Pakistan Army, Nusrat termed the acts as a violation of fundamental rights. "Thousands have disappeared after being picked up by the Pakistani security forces and their families are living in a state of an unending fear and helplessness with no knowledge of the whereabouts of their kins," Nusrat said. Just like Naqeebullah Mehsud, thousands of young Pashtuns, Balochs, Mohajirs, Gilgiti and Hazaras have been extrajudicially killed, he claimed. The policies of the current US administration have given a new zeal to freedom-loving religious and ethnic communities in Pakistan, he said. Nusrat asserted that Mohajirs were committed to seeing a stable South Asia and they will continue to play their important role in achieving this goal.

US-based Mohajirs seek alliance of ethnic minorities in Pakistan