PTM Holds Grand Gathering in Peshawar, Demands Release ofMissing Persons and Basic Rights



On a Sunday afternoon, the Pashtun TahafuzMovement (PTM) commenced a grand gathering in Peshawar, where speakersfervently voiced demands for the release of missing individuals and theprovision of fundamental human rights to the Pakhtun community in Pakistan

Thousands of participants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) congregated at Pishtakhra Chowk near Ring Road, rallying around the chant "da sang azadi da" (what kind of freedom is this) – the movement's rallying cry.

The event saw the families of missing persons attend, clutching images of their loved ones whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Harnessing the power of social media, pamphlets, and local PTM workers, the movement effectively mobilized protesters. Notably, mainstream TV channels provided minimal coverage of the Sunday protest.

PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen, addressing the audience, asserted, "We are only against the oppressors." He dismissed allegations of foreign agency backing and emphasized the movement's allegiance to the nation.

He questioned the progress regarding missing persons and criticized the coercion faced by the families of the disappeared. He further condemned the practice of profiting from the deaths of individuals, drawing a historical parallel to Genghis Khan.

Pashteen demanded the legal prosecution of Ehsanullah Ehsan, the former TTP leader, and looked ahead to bringing other figures such as former President Musharraf to the courts.

The PTM leader addressed the economic impact of violence on businesses in Fata, highlighting how products from the region were being sold elsewhere due to the ongoing turmoil.

Pashteen's speech encompassed demands for an end to curfews in Fata, the restoration of occupied schools and hospitals, and the return to normalcy in the region. He declared the intention to hold further gatherings across various cities in Pakistan.

One protester, Norab Jan, shared his family's ordeal of having two brothers and a son abducted three years ago, emphasizing the need for missing persons to be presented in court or released.

Other PTM leaders, such as Ali Wazir and Sanna Ejaz, addressed issues affecting tribal people and urged for equal rights and basic human rights in tribal areas.

Leaders of political parties also lent their voices to the gathering, emphasizing peace, education, and employment for Pakhtuns and condemning elements that sought unrest.

The PTM's gathering marked a pivotal moment in their movement, highlighting the persistent struggle for the rights of those affected by the war on terror in Tribal Areas, especially those from South Waziristan.

The movement seeks to ensure the enforcement of constitutional provisions, which mandate that law enforcement agencies provide details of individuals taken into custody and present them before courts.

The grand gathering in Peshawar underscored the PTM's commitment to justice, accountability, and basic human rights for the Pakhtun community, while also emphasizing the power of collective mobilization and the role of social media in amplifying their cause.

PTM's Peshawar Gathering: A Resounding Call for Justice and Equality

The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement's (PTM) grand gathering in Peshawar echoed with a resounding call for justice, accountability, and equality. As the speakers addressed the charged crowd, their demands for the release of missing persons and the provision of fundamental human rights rang loud and clear.

The gathering, which drew in thousands of participants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, marked a significant moment in the PTM's ongoing struggle. Despite limited mainstream media coverage, the event's mobilization showcased the movement's adept use of social media, pamphlets, and grassroots PTM workers to bring people together for a common cause.

Manzoor Pashteen, a prominent figure in the PTM, took the stage to convey the movement's objectives. He emphatically stated that their fight was solely against oppressors, and their loyalty was to their nation. Addressing accusations of foreign influence, Pashteen firmly declared their independence from external backing.

Pashteen's poignant question about the fate of missing persons struck a chord with the crowd. He vehemently advocated for the rights of the mothers and elders of the missing individuals, urging an end to their coercion. Drawing an evocative historical comparison to Genghis Khan, he criticized the unethical practice of profiting from death.

The PTM leader's demands for justice reverberated as he sought the legal prosecution of figures such as Ehsanullah Ehsan and former President Musharraf. He shed light on the economic devastation faced by businesses in Fata due to ongoing violence, illustrating the real-world consequences of the unrest.

The stage was shared by individuals like Norab Jan, whose personal tragedy of missing family members added a human face to the cause. Jan's heartfelt plea for the presentation of missing persons in court or their release encapsulated the collective sentiment of the crowd.

Ali Wazir and Sanna Ejaz, other leaders of the movement, passionately addressed the plight of tribal people and advocated for equal rights and basic human rights in tribal areas. Their calls for the closure of National Logistics Cell units and the return of properties showcased the multifaceted challenges the community faced.

Political leaders' participation in the gathering underscored the solidarity between different groups and parties supporting the cause. The unanimous demand for peace, education, and employment for Pakhtuns while condemning elements causing unrest demonstrated a unified front against injustice.

The PTM's aspirations for constitutional implementation resonated deeply. The movement's insistence on the presentation of detained individuals before courts aligned with the principles of justice enshrined in the law.

As the grand gathering in Peshawar concluded, the reverberations of its messages echoed across the nation. The event's significance extended beyond its immediate context, emphasizing the power of collective action, social media mobilization, and the strength of a unified community fighting for justice and human rights.

In a world where information travels at lightning speed, the PTM's Peshawar gathering showcased the ability of a movement to transcend physical boundaries and reach the hearts of individuals who share their values. As their calls for justice and equality persist, the PTM stands as a testament to the strength of collective determination and the unyielding pursuit of human rights.