Pakistan: Mehrang Baloch condemns state violence against PTM, calls for immediate action

Baloch rights activist Mehrang Baloch condemned the “use of force and violence” by Pakistan’s armed forces against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

“I strongly condemn the use of force and violence by security forces against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in an attempt to stop the Pashtun National Jirga,” Baloch said in a posting on Twitter.

he/she further said that the violence against PTM political workers and the assassination attempt on Manzoor Pashtun is an attempt to silence the voice of the Pashtun people. The use of force against Pashtun political activists should be stopped immediately.

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) has called for a national jirga gathering on October 11, 2024 to discuss the ongoing violence, terrorism and targeted killings in Khyber district and seek solutions to these serious issues. The Pakistani state has resorted to cruelty in its pursuit of peace out of fear of Pashtun unity.

Founded in 2018, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement is a grassroots initiative advocating for the rights of Pashtuns in Pakistan. Under the leadership of Manzoor Pashteen, the PTM emerged in response to human rights violations faced by Pashtuns, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the threat posed by landmines in their areas.

Baloch urged human rights organizations to pay immediate attention to state violence and use of force against political and human rights activists.

Despite assurances by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about the complete security of their camp, police conducted a midnight raid on the organizers of the jirga, set fire to the camps and continued to attack and arrest peaceful activists gathered at the site.

According to Balochistan Post, even after the raid, PTM activists are said to have returned to the site and set up camp again with the aim of going ahead with the planned jirga. However, they have not yet received official approval for the gathering.