In a latest development, PTM Sindh coordinator Noorullah Tareen has been released from jail following his implication in false cases and subsequent incarceration for eight months. Tareen’s release comes as a significant relief for the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and its supporters, who have been vocal about his unlawful detention.

Tareen was abducted from his house in Karachi on October 5, 2023, by Karachi Police. His detention was part of a broader crackdown on the PTM, an organization known for its non-violent advocacy for Pashtun rights and criticism of the Pakistani establishment. Tareen had been particularly vocal against Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to repatriate Afghan refugees, a stance that reportedly led to his abduction and imprisonment.

Following arrest of Noorullah Tareen, the provincial leadership of PTM in Karachi announced plans to resist if he was not presented in court, highlighting the arbitrary nature of his detention. The PTM has consistently condemned Pakistan’s policy of targeting activists who speak out against state oppression, with many activists being hounded, abducted, or even killed.

Pak crackdown on Afghan refugees

Notably, after the crackdown on Afghan refugees began on September 11, 2023, with initiation a sudden arrest drive, detaining almost 250 Afghan migrants, including women and children, in Karachi. Pakistan’s declaration to repatriate undocumented Afghan refugees quickly turned into selective harassment and targeting, partly in response to a humiliating attack on the Pakistani Army by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

During this difficult period for Afghan migrants, the PTM, under Tareen’s leadership in Sindh, stood in solidarity with the refugees.

Tareen’s abduction was seen as an attempt by the Pakistani establishment to weaken the PTM’s efforts in defending the rights of Afghan refugees.

Noorullah Tareen’s release marks a pivotal moment for the PTM and underscores the resilience of its members in the face of state repression. It also highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice in Pakistan, particularly for marginalized communities such as the Pashtuns.

In a tragic incident on Tuesday evening, Kamran Dawar, a prominent social media activist and outspoken critic of the Pakistan Army’s oppression, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in North Waziristan’s regional headquarters, Miramshah.

Dawar was on his way home to Tappi village when the gunmen opened fire on him. He was critically injured in the attack and succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital.

Kamran Dawar was well-known for his active presence on social media and for his Facebook channel, Waziristan TV, where he regularly voiced his criticisms of the Pakistan Army.

Although the identities of the assailants remain unknown and the motive behind the murder has not yet been established, the location of the incident in the heavily militarized region of North Waziristan raises suspicions about the involvement of the Pakistan Army. The Army is notorious for suppressing dissenting voices, especially those of journalists and activists who challenge its actions and policies.

This latest act of violence highlights the ongoing dangers faced by activists in Pakistan, particularly in regions where the military exerts significant control. The death of Kamran Dawar serves as a stark reminder of the risks that come with speaking out against powerful Pak Army.

In a tragic development, the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) launched an attack on May 20, targeting a bus carrying Taliban members in Kandahar city. The explosion, caused by a grenade, occurred at 7:00 AM, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals.

The Kandahar Police Headquarters reported that security forces swiftly arrived at the scene following the blast and have since initiated an investigation into the incident. The attack has further heightened the already tense security situation in the region.

Earlier attacks by ISKP

Notably, ISKP has been actively involved in orchestrating attacks in Afghanistan. Earlier, on May 17, ISKP terrorists opened fire in the Bamyan market, killing eight people, including four foreign nationals who were reported to be Spanish.

In taking responsibility for the Bamyan attack, it cited sectarian reasons and highlighted Bamyan as a significant tourist site due to its Buddha statues.

It has consistently targeted Afghanistan and has accused the Taliban regime of being apostate, further fueling the violent conflict between the groups.