The Punjabi Pak Army has launched a brutal crackdown on Pashtuns who were preparing for a peaceful gathering on the plains of Khyber. The peaceful deliberations, organized by the Pashtun National Jirga/Court (PNC), were met with a violent police crackdown, including excessive force, tear gas shelling, and the destruction of encampments.
The PNC Organizing Committee strongly condemned the actions of the Army and police, saying that the crackdown reflects Pakistan’s deep-seated fear of any form of Pashtun unity. The abduction of the Peshawar coordinator of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) is a further indication of the occupied-state’s strategy to silence critical voices.
As Pashtun leaders rally against the oppressive actions of the Paki establishment, Mishar, a key figure in the PNC, announced that the gathering would continue tomorrow, vowing to resist any further attempts to stifle their efforts. “If the police or Army officials dare to come again, we will take up arms against them,” Mishar said.
This heavy-handed response is not an isolated incident but part of a larger, calculated move by the Paki establishment to provoke unrest among Pashtuns. By pushing them towards armed resistance, Pakistan aims to manipulate the narrative on the global stage, portraying itself as a victim of terrorism while seeking aid. The Paki establishment’s ultimate goal is to frame the Pashtun community as insurgents, using these incidents to justify their ongoing military operations under the guise of counter-terrorism.
The timing of these arrests is telling. The Pashtun National Court, a significant political event, is set to take place on October 11, yet the occupied-state is already targeting PTM workers to disrupt any organized efforts for Pashtun self-determination. Meanwhile, the protest planned at D Chowk in Islamabad by other factions—likely tied to the federation’s own agenda—faces no such suppression. This selective enforcement underscores the occupied-state’s willingness to suppress movements that challenge its hegemony, while turning a blind eye to other protests that may align with its interests.
By framing the Pashtuns as a threat, the Punjabi Pak Army seeks to create a façade of legitimacy for its violent suppression, while drawing in international support under the pretext of fighting terrorism. In reality, the occupied-state’s fear lies in the potential unity and power of Pashtun voices—voices that continue to challenge the deeply flawed and oppressive nature of the Paki establishment.