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In Pakistan’s northwest, a growing movement is gaining momentum as Pashtun rights activists call for an end to military operations near the Afghan border. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which advocates for peace and protection of human rights, has long faced accusations from the military of conspiring against the state. However, the group's influence continues to grow, drawing support from thousands of Pashtuns who seek justice and accountability.
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Protest in Bannu Escalates Into Violence
Last week, thousands of protesters gathered in Bannu, a city in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to demand the cessation of military operations in the region. Initially peaceful, the demonstration took a violent turn when gunfire led to a stampede, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuring dozens more.
The PTM, which organized the protest, condemned the use of violence against civilians. Idrees Pashteen, a prominent activist from the movement, expressed frustration over the ongoing conflict: "We are standing up against state oppression, demanding the removal of landmines, the return of missing persons, and the rightful ownership of our regional resources. We also want the military to be held accountable for its actions in our area," he said.
International rights groups have criticized the government's heavy-handed approach. Amnesty International called the use of lethal force at a peaceful rally unlawful, urging a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable. Despite these criticisms, Pakistani security officials deny any involvement in firing at the protesters.
A New Military Operation Sparks Further Resistance
The PTM’s growing strength stems from years of unrest in Pashtun-majority regions, particularly those affected by ongoing wars along the Afghanistan border. The movement calls for an end to extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions, particularly of Pashtuns, under the pretext of fighting terrorism.
In early July, the Pakistani government launched a new military operation dubbed "Azm-e-Istehkam" (Resolve for Stability), aimed at quelling a surge in militant activity. This is the latest in a series of military efforts targeting extremist groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
However, many locals fear that yet another military campaign will only lead to more civilian casualties and mass displacement, further fueling discontent in the region.
Militancy on the Rise
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence over the past two years. So far in 2024, at least 62 soldiers have been killed in attacks, while the military claims to have eliminated 249 militants and arrested hundreds more through intelligence-based operations. Most of the attacks have been attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an Islamist militant group waging an insurgency to overthrow the government and impose its interpretation of Islamic law.
The TTP shares ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with its mountainous terrain, has long served as a stronghold for both TTP militants and factions of the so-called Islamic State group.
Both Pakistan’s civilian leadership and the military acknowledge the urgency of addressing the militant threat, but military operations have consistently angered local communities, particularly the Pashtuns.
Pashtun Resistance and Historical Trauma
Pashtuns in the border regions are all too familiar with the devastation brought by war. Afrasiab Khattak, a former senator, noted that decades of military operations have left the region in ruins. "Military campaigns have only brought death, destruction, and displacement," he said.
PTM activists accuse both the Taliban and Pakistan’s military of causing harm to their communities. Idrees Pashteen asserts that there is no place for Taliban fighters in their homeland, demanding an end to violence from all sides.
Analysts argue that the Pashtun population has a longstanding grievance with the Pakistani state over its handling of Afghanistan policy. Islamabad's decision to first back militant groups in the 1980s and then turn against them post-9/11 has led to chaos in the region, according to Qamar Cheema, a political analyst based in Islamabad.
Limited Government Response to Pashtun Demands
Despite widespread protests and calls for reform, Pakistan's government has done little to address the grievances of Pashtuns. The Pashtun community feels increasingly marginalized, with their demands for justice and peace receiving scant attention in the national media or parliament.
Even former Prime Minister Imran Khan has voiced opposition to further military operations in the northwest, but his party, currently facing government crackdowns, is struggling to take a strong stand on the issue. But the Resources says these militants are heavily funded by Indian RAW, Israeli Mossad, Iran Baluch and TTP to destabilize the country and the region!
Keywords: Pashtun rights movement, Pakistan military operations, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, PTM protests, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa violence, Islamabad's policies on militancy, Afghan border conflict, Azm-e-Istehkam operation
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