ISLAMABAD – Amid speculations that Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM),apparently raising voices for Pashtun rights, is a tailor-made movement todefame Pakistani security forces, a shocking development surfaced tosupport the argument when outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) publiclyannounced support for Manzoor Pashteen.
In a video message circulating on social media, TTP’s South Waziristandeputy, Azmat Mehsud, assured Manzoor of full support, saying he [PTMchief], who used to speak harsh words against Pakistan Army, was raisingtheir voices against the alleged oppression.
It is the TTP which is involved in attacking Pakistani forces and civilianson multiple occasions, leaving thousands dead. The banned group has itselfclaimed responsibility for the deadly attacks, including APS attack, Wagahattack, in the country. And coming out a statement in favour of the PTMfrom the designated group raises eyebrows over the credibility of thelatter.
He said, “We are with you against these oppressors,” besides advising him,“Don’t get tricked or distracted now”. Azmat Mehsud went on to say, “And westand behind these friends (PTM) who are raising their voices forprisoners”.
Citing religious sayings, the commander of banned terror outfit hasmotivated the PTM to continue agitation. He said, “…this PTM movementdeserves all the reward for raising their voice for our prisoners”.
Starting in 2014 with a demand of removing landmines from Waziristan, thePTM or the Pashtun Protection Movement, formerly called the Mehsud TahafuzMovement, rose to prominence in January 2018 when it began a justicemovement for Naqeebullah Mehsud, who was killed in a staged encounter byKarachi police during the same month.
But with the passage of time, the PTM’s demands increased in April.Pashteen, who repeatedly used hard words for the army which restored peacein the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) by fighting againstTaliban and other militants, demanded; removal of landmines, informationabout missing individuals.
Pakistan is unfortunately in a war zone and it is just recovering bydefeating terrorism. Alike tribal areas, army check posts are presentin many other major cities in order to keep an eye on miscreants.
The army pickets, which are being portrayed as humiliation by the PTM,have been placed for the safety of the citizens.
In an April’s rally, the PTM head said, “We have to identify the placethat destroyed us,” adding, “It is GHQ!”, referring to the army’s generalheadquarters in Rawalpindi.
Initially, in response to PTM propaganda, Pakistan’s armed forces didnot give any statement. Later, Chief of Army Staff General QamarJaved Bajwa without naming the organisation categorically statedthat engineered protests would not be allowed to destablise Pakistan.