The rapidly-growing Pashtun Protection Movement (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, PTM) has rattled Pakistan’s powerful military since it burst onto the scene three months ago with a nationwide campaign against alleged abuses against ethnic Pashtuns by security forces.
The Pashtuns are a fiercely independent ethnic group that straddle both sides of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Both the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban are dominated by Pashtuns, leading to repeated military operations in the region.
However, the PTM’s leadership says that Pashtun civilians have borne the brunt of the army’s long fight against militants and are calling for an end to what they say are rampant extrajudicial killings and “disappearances”.
Despite a far-reaching media blackout, the movement has nonetheless drawn thousands of supporters, in one of the strongest challenges to Pakistan’s security establishment for years.
PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen addressed supporters yesterday in the rally in Lahore: “We are in Lahore to tell you tales of our sufferings and nothing else.”
“We are striving for rule of law, protection of basic human rights and prosperity,” said fellow PTM leader Ali Wazeer, who was briefly detained before the rally.
An AFP reporter at the scene estimated about 5,000 people attended the rally – smaller than recent protests, but a significant showing considering Lahore lies far from the movement’s base in northwest Pakistan.
The protest went ahead despite authorities refusing to issue permits, citing security reasons.
“We do not accept the Pakistan that is for the generals and the mullahs, we want a Pakistan for the Sindhis, for the Baloch, for the Pashtun, and for the working class of Punjab,” said PTM supporter Fanoos Gujar, referring to the country’s major ethnic groups.
The rally was held hours after officials in Lahore detained several PTM leaders late on Saturday, following raids on Punjab University and a hotel.
A local police officer confirmed the raids but said the activists have been released.
The PTM came to prominence in February after the killing of a young social media star in Karachi unleashed festering anger at authorities over alleged targeting of Pashtuns.
Criticism of the armed forces, especially their counter-insurgency operations, is largely seen as a red line in the country, hence the media blackout.
“Local media is not covering the event (in Lahore) though some of the reporters are present,” Usman Khan, a reporter at local TV channel told DPA.
Pashtuns account for 15% of Pakistan’s population, with a majority of the 30mn-strong group living in the northwest.
