Bannu police have arrested Haji Samad Khan, a prominent Pashtun activist and outspoken opponent of terrorism and violence in the region. The arrest has raised serious concerns about the Paki establishment’s treatment of voices advocating for peace in the troubled Pashtun belt.
Haji Samad Khan, a respected figure in the Pashtun community, has been a vocal critic of Army policies and militancy that have destabilized the region. His arrest is a part of a crackdown on Pashtun voices, particularly those who challenge the Punjabi Pak Army’s narrative on terrorism and its support for proxy wars.
Pashtun activists and rights groups have condemned the arrest, accusing the Pak authorities of escalating its hostility toward the Pashtun people.
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a grassroots movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns, has repeatedly called out the Paki establishment of suppressing their demands for justice, accountability, and an end to Army-sponsored violence in the Pashtun regions. The PTM has also highlighted how the Pashtun community has borne the brunt of years of military operations, drone strikes, and terrorist activities, leaving thousands displaced and marginalized.