Pashtun leaders demand 'Azaadi'

19 August 2023

Pashtun leaders call Pakistani leaders 'slaves of army generals', demand 'Azaadi'

Thousands of Pashtuns took to the streets in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, demanding independence from the country and accusing its leaders of being "slaves of army generals".

The protests were held in several cities, including Peshawar, Quetta and Swat, and were organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a group that has been campaigning for the rights of Pashtuns, who make up the largest ethnic group in Pakistan.

The PTM has been critical of the Pakistani government's handling of the war against terrorism, and has accused the military of human rights abuses against Pashtuns.

The protests on Saturday were the latest in a series of demonstrations that have been held by the PTM in recent months. In April, the group held a major rally in Islamabad, which drew thousands of people.

The Pakistani government has accused the PTM of being a front for terrorists, but the group has denied these allegations.

In a speech at the rally in Peshawar on Saturday, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen said that the Pakistani leaders were "slaves of army generals".

"We will not accept slavery," he said. "We will not accept injustice. We will not accept oppression."

Pashteen also called for the release of all political prisoners, including those who have been detained by the military.

The protests on Saturday were largely peaceful, but there were some clashes between protesters and police.

At least one person was killed and several others were injured in the clashes.

The Pakistani government has imposed a curfew in some parts of northwest Pakistan in an attempt to contain the protests.

The PTM has vowed to continue its protests until its demands are met.

The protests have highlighted the growing anger among Pashtuns over the Pakistani government's handling of the war against terrorism and the military's human rights abuses.

The PTM has become a powerful voice for Pashtuns, and its protests have put pressure on the Pakistani government to address their concerns.

The future of the PTM is uncertain, but it is clear that the group has struck a chord with many Pashtuns.

The protests on Saturday were a reminder that the Pashtun question is a major challenge for the Pakistani government.

The government will need to find a way to address the concerns of Pashtuns if it wants to avoid further instability in northwest Pakistan.

Background

The Pashtuns are an ethnic group that makes up the largest ethnic group in Pakistan. They are also the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan.

The Pashtuns have a long history of resistance to foreign rule. They fought against the British in the 19th century and against the Soviets in the 20th century.

In recent years, the Pashtuns have been caught up in the war against terrorism. The Pakistani military has launched a number of military operations in Pashtun-dominated areas, and there have been allegations of human rights abuses by the military.

The PTM was founded in 2018 by a group of Pashtun activists who were protesting against the military's operations in Pashtun-dominated areas. The group has since become a vocal critic of the Pakistani government and the military.

Demands of the PTM

The PTM has made a number of demands, including:

• The release of all political prisoners, including those who have been detained by the military.
• An end to the military's operations in Pashtun-dominated areas.
• The establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate human rights abuses by the military.
• The implementation of the National Action Plan, which is a government plan to counter terrorism.
• The provision of basic amenities, such as education and healthcare, to Pashtun-dominated areas.

Government response

The Pakistani government has accused the PTM of being a front for terrorists. The government has also imposed a curfew in some parts of northwest Pakistan in an attempt to contain the protests.

The government has also offered to hold talks with the PTM, but the group has so far rejected these offers.

The future of the PTM

The future of the PTM is uncertain. The group has become a powerful voice for Pashtuns, but it is unclear how long it will be able to sustain its momentum.

The government will need to find a way to address the concerns of Pashtuns if it wants to avoid further instability in northwest Pakistan.

The Pashtun question

The Pashtun question is a major challenge for the Pakistani government. The Pashtuns are a large and powerful ethnic group, and they have a long history of resistance to foreign rule.

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