The Pashtuns and Pakistan have come face to face on many issues since past few months. Be it the Afghan refugee issue or Pakistan’s ignorance towards the region. In all these conflicts, PTM has emerged as a forerunner of the Pashtun cause. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that it is single handedly resisting the arbitrary and oppressive actions of Pakistan. To that extent, a new protest has been organized by the Pashtuns against the passport checking at Pak-Afghan border.

The protest against the mandatory passport checking at Pak-Afghan border was started on 21 October in Chaman district of Pak-occupied Balochistan, which is the major route for the trans Durand trader movement. As of now the protest has entered its 7^th day. On the 6^th day of protest, i.e. October 26, the protest was made fiercer by organizing a rally which saw participation from the entire Pashtun and Afghan community. Lakhs of people hit the streets of mall road in Chaman as a symbol of protest against the Pakistani establishment of passport checking at Pak Afghan border for cross border movement for trade. They raised the slogans of “passport namanzur, namanzur” (Passport unacceptable, unacceptable).

Passport checking at Pak-Afghan border under ‘One document regime’

It is worth mentioning that after the Taliban take over of Afghanistan and especially after the Chitral clashes between TTP and Pakistan Army, the relation between the terror regimes of Pakistan and Taliban have seen a new low. Unanticipatedly, Pakistan got the taste of its own medicine from the Taliban. As a result, Pakistan launched a crackdown on unregistered Afghan civilians since a couple of months ago. In line with that the Paki establishment has recently declared that its “one document regime” policy will replace the decades-old practice of granting special travel permits to individuals with divided tribes straddling the nearly 2,600-kilometer Durand line between the two countries.

According to an official federal directive sent to immigration authorities at all Afghan border crossings, “passport as the only traveling document is going to be implemented from November 1, 2023.”

Accordingly, the passport and visa requirement are primarily going to hit the Pashtun dominated regions where the Pashtun population is spread on either side of the border.  Thousands of families from Afghanistan side travel to Pakistan to meet their family and relatives or in search of work and return to their homes slip of paper, locally called tazkira. Tazkira is granted under the easement rights that guarantee free travel. Almost every Pashtun use Chaman border to travel to Pakistan.

And so, the issue is crucial for Pashtuns and the abrupt decision of Pakistan has left the community in disarray. Consequently, the Pashtuns are protesting with full vigour.

An online petition has surfaced, calling for an end of the evacuation of Afghan migrants in Pakistan and seeking international support for Afghan refugees. The petition has gained momentum, with hundreds of people from various linguistic backgrounds endorsing it. It is available in English, Pashtun, Dari, Urdu, Turkish, and other languages, making it accessible to a broad audience.

The petition emphatically states that signatories reject the government of Pakistan’s deportation plan and stand in solidarity with Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan and elsewhere. It advocates for the official recognition of all Afghans as integral citizens of Pakistan, stressing the importance of preserving principles like permanent residence, citizenship, and asylum.

Furthermore, the petition underscores the interconnected struggles of Afghan migrants in Pakistan with those of ethnic and religious minorities, individuals facing political differences, homeless Pakistanis, women, and various segments of society. It asserts that the cause of Afghan migrants in Pakistan aligns with the global struggle of oppressed people, migrants, and refugees, as well as the broader Afghan diaspora.

Solidarity, a fundamental right and responsibility

Importantly, the petition clarifies that this solidarity is not an act of charity or mere human sympathy but a fundamental right and responsibility. It calls for the rejection of any attempts to divide ethnic and religious minorities and tribal communities within the country.

The petition also urges individuals, activists, communities, and organizations globally to continue expressing solidarity with Afghan refugees and to take proactive measures to protect Afghan community members from racial violence.

A heartfelt appeal is made to people worldwide to acknowledge their responsibility for the well-being of Afghans, both inside and outside Afghanistan. It demands an end to the ongoing migration of Afghans to Pakistan and other destinations.

The petition also directs its pleas to governments of countries like Britain, Germany, Canada, America, and others. It implores these nations to expedite the relocation of Afghan citizens, particularly those who find themselves stranded in transit in Pakistan. The immediate opening of asylum routes for Afghans is deemed a pressing need.

Furthermore, the petition highlights the necessity of shifting the international migration system’s focus from immediate repatriation programs to advocating for the long-term legal rights of Afghans in Pakistan.

Call to halt arbitrary detention

In addition, the petition calls upon the Government of Pakistan to halt arbitrary detentions and harassment of Afghan refugees, as well as the demolition of their residences. It insists that calls for Afghans to leave Pakistan cease immediately, and ongoing migration be halted. It urges continued protection for vulnerable Afghan populations in their pursuit of safety. Moreover, it advocates for the inclusion of undocumented Afghans in the asylum system and the development of a legal framework for refugees and asylum seekers within Pakistan, including long-term residence and pathways to citizenship.

In the POJK city Muzaffarabad, the employees of AJK Medical College have been protesting, stating that the Paki ‘establishment’ has refused to extend the contracts of employees who have been working on a contractual basis for the past twelve years, saying that the employees were recruited on political grounds.

The protesting employees have refused to play a supporting role in the teaching process after not receiving salaries for four months, due to which teaching has been suspended in medical colleges. Due to the strike, it has become impossible for professors to continue classes in classrooms.

After this move by the Pak Army, students and their parents are in a state of extreme anxiety and tension.

Salihah, a student at Muzaffarabad Medical College, expressed that due to the employees’ strike, the college’s system has come to a halt. With the power generator out of operation, there is no one to turn it on. She urged the Army to provide salaries to the employees as they also have families to support.

Under the administration of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, there are three medical colleges, including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Rawalakot, with approximately one thousand students under education. These medical colleges employ around three hundred teaching staff, and the strike has left the educational activities in these institutions completely disrupted.

The strike is a serious problem that has the potential to damage the quality of medical education in POJK. Pakistan that is grappling under huge economic debts is now unable to pay the salaries of the teaching staff. The rise in the prices of electricity, flour was already a burden on the public and now disruption in the education will be the final nail in the coffin of Pakistan.

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hold negotiations on November 2 for the next tranche of the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement, worth $710 million.

The negotiations are expected to be difficult, as the Pakistan faces a number of challenges, including a shortfall in external financing, a declining rupee, and a need to reduce oil subsidies.

However, it looks like Pak Army is hopeful of the success of the negotiations, and is taking steps to strengthen its position. For example, the Army is expected to announce general elections soon, which would help to improve investor confidence. It is also working to reduce power division circular debt, which is a condition of the IMF program.

The outcome of the negotiations will have a significant impact on the Pakistani economy. If the negotiations are successful, the Paki ‘establishment’ will be able to access the next tranche of IMF funding, which will help to stabilize the economy. However, if the negotiations are unsuccessful, Pakistan will face further challenges in its efforts to meet its economic goals.

Analysts’ Views

Analysts say that the negotiations are crucial for Pakistan, as the country is in desperate need of foreign financing to avoid a default on its foreign debt obligations. However, they also warn that they will have to make tough concessions in order to reach an agreement with the IMF.

One analyst told Express Tribune that the Paki establishment will need to “commit to a credible fiscal consolidation plan” and “raise taxes significantly” in order to meet the IMF’s demands. Another analyst warned that they will also need to “end oil subsidies and raise electricity prices” in order to reduce its budget deficit.

The Pakistan-IMF negotiations will be a major test for the Pak Army’s ability to manage the country’s economy. If the negotiations are successful, they will be able to avoid a default and stabilize the economy. However, if the negotiations are unsuccessful, the country could face a serious economic crisis.