ISLAMABAD: Citing risks to the country’s security and peace, the federal government banned the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on Sunday.
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997’s Section 11B proclaimed the PTM to be “unlawful,” according to the Associated Press of Pakistan. The PTM is listed as a prohibited organization in the First Schedule of the ATA and is considered to be a “significant danger” to public order and safety in the nation, according to a notification released by the interior ministry.
The movement, which was founded in the wake of the death of South Waziristan youth Naqeebullah Mehsud, and its leader Manzoor Pashteen, faced harsh criticism from the ruling class. They were accused of inciting unrest and acting on behalf of foreign agencies, accusations that PTM leaders vehemently denied.
This action is being taken in front of the October 11 Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga, which is being organized by PTM. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security services have been under fire recently for raiding PTM camps.
During several searches last week, authorities in the Khyber tribal district set fire to a PTM camp. For the jirga scheduled for October 11th, the camp was set up.
The federal and provincial administrations attempted to place blame on one another. Barrister Mohammad Saif, a spokesman for the KP government, asserted that the provincial chief secretary had received directives from the federal interior ministry to this effect.
However, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi questioned the necessity of the police raid on PTM, pointing out that KP police carried out the action without following the interior ministry’s directions.
The PTM is “a rights-based movement that has never resorted to violence and has always used the framework of the Constitution to advocate its cause,” according to a statement released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. This drastic choice was not justified nor transparent.
The move was also denounced by former MNA Mohsin Dawar, who was a member of the PTM before to founding the National Democratic Movement.
“The State doesn’t believe in peaceful struggles, as this sends a message to families of missing persons and those demanding human rights,” the writer stated on X.
Banning the movement “days before the peaceful Pashtun conference is a typical colonial act against an oppressed people,” according to a message posted on X by former ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak.
In a statement, the Awami Workers Party (AWP) claimed that this would simply “antagonize and alienate” the Pakhtun people, who have been devastated by conflict, and give far-right radicalism a place to flourish.
