In a gathering at Quetta’s Manan Shaheed Chowk, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), alongside political allies ANP, PNAP, and NDM, voiced strong dissent over the arrest of PTM Chief Manzoor Pashteen. The PTM protest started in reaction to the absolute impunity of Pakistan Army and its puppet security forces. Recently Pakistan Army opened fire at Pashteen’s convoy, leading to his subsequent arrest.

Notably, PTM has been protesting in Chaman against the new rule of mandatory passport for border crossing since 21 October, which has hurt the innocent traders who traded across border and local peoples who have relatives on either side of the border. Meanwhile the tragic demise of four Baloch youth in an extra judicial encounter by the so-called Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), led to a protest in Turbat where huge number of Baloch participated in sit-in.

After extending full support to the Turbat protest from the plank of Chaman protest site, Pashteen announced to visit the Turbat protest in person. While he was on the move, Pakistan Amry opened indiscriminate fire at his convoy. The ambush culminated in the arrest of Manzoor Pashteen. They later took him to Islamabad.

This turn of events has incited heightened resentment among the Pashtun community against the Pakistan Army and its leadership. The arrest of Pashteen has fueled existing grievances, intensifying calls for accountability and fair treatment within the democratic framework.

The central spokesperson of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) conveyed congratulations to Manzoor Pashteen, a key figure in the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, lauding his leadership in championing the rights of the Pashtun community. Emphasizing unity among oppressed communities, the spokesperson highlighted the shared struggles of the Baloch, Pashtun, and other marginalized groups within Pakistan.

In a demonstration of solidarity, the spokesperson emphasized the urgent need for a collective effort grounded in the acknowledgment of their historical and national identities. “The key to dignified lives for oppressed communities lies in a unified stance, mutual acknowledgment of suffering, and collaborative endeavours for justice,” the spokesperson emphasized.

Outlining Pakistan’s constraints on marginalised factions, the spokesperson likened the nation to a confining prison where freedom of movement is severely curtailed. Addressing recent events involving Manzoor Pashteen, the spokesperson condemned the firing at his convoy, signalling Pakistan’s unease toward potential joint resistance from marginalized communities.

The spokesperson shed light on the dominion of the Punjabi Army and the suppression faced by non-Punjabi ethnicities, highlighting restrictions imposed on the development of language and culture. Instances of curtailed academic activities and the forceful cancellation of events portrayed a consistent suppression of voices from marginalized regions.

Expressing profound concern over the recent attack on the Pashtun community, the spokesperson vehemently denounced the actions of the establishment. Reiterating the ongoing challenges faced by Baloch and Pashtun communities, the spokesperson emphasized their shared struggle against the Pakistani establishment’s attempts to erase their national identities.

In a devastating incident an IED blast in Peshawar injured 7 individuals, including 3 children. The blast took place at Warsak Road this morning. According to reports, the blast occurred close to Peshawar Public School around 9:10 am.

Warsak Superintendent of Police Arshad Khan revealed that the explosive, weighing four kilograms and concealed within a cemented block at the roadside, caused the destructive explosion. Disturbingly, those injured in the blast are reported to be between the ages of 11 and 23, none of them wearing school uniforms.

Law enforcement promptly cordoned off the area, initiating a thorough investigation into the alarming IED blast. Updates on this developing story will follow as the investigation progresses. As of now, no terrorist organisation has taken responsibility of attack neither it is clear who the target was.

Pakistan Army opened fire on PTM Chief Manzoor Pashteen and subsequently arrested him in Chaman.

Manzoor Pashteen, at the forefront of the fight for Pashtun and Afghan rights,has been attacked by the Frontier Corps of the Pakistan military while en route to join protests in Turbat. Recently, the CTD referred to four innocent Baloch youth as terrorists, reporting their death in an encounter. However, it soon emerged that this information was false and that it was an extrajudicial killing by CTD. These individuals had been in the custody of CTD for weeks, and their killing was merciless. Subsequently, families of the deceased and numerous Baloch people started protesting against CTD. The PTM Chief, supporting these protests, planned to visit Turbat and address the situation.

Reportedly, while en route to Turbat, the Pakistan Army fired indiscriminately on his convoy in Chaman. After the shooting, he has been arrested by the Army. Additionally, PTM is also staging protests at the Chaman border against the mandatory passport ruling for border crossings, which has adversely impacted a large number of Pashtun traders. As of now, PTM has announced that soon the plan of action will be decided by the central committee.

Various regions in Pakistan continue to experience oppression under the authoritarian regime. As a result, people from across these regions are uniting to voice their opposition against the oppressive establishment. In response to this unified resistance, the Pakistan Army is acting nervously. The assault on Manzoor Pashteen underscores Pakistan as a rogue nation that disregards law and order, neglects addressing people’s grievances, and instead, seeks to silence voices of dissent. The legitimate demands of the people are brutally suppressed to maintain absolute control over the populace.