Pashtun activists and community members gathered for the funeral of Shaheed Gilaman Wazir, where they voiced strong criticism against the Punjabi Pakistan Army. The event, marked by emotional speeches and slogans, highlighted growing tensions between the Pashtun minority and the Pakistan Army.
Attendees chanted “Pakistan Dehshatgard!” (Pakistan is terrorist), expressing their frustration with the systemic oppression and exploitation of Pashtuns within Pakistan. The brother of the deceased, addressing the crowd, dedicated Shaheed Gilaman to the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and pledged continued support for the cause.
This sloganeering is extremely important as it is one of the rare instances where the Pashtuns have raised slogans against occupation and terrorism of Pak Army with an undertone of separation.
Morevover, on Monday at 8:00 PM, PTM Chief Manzoor Pashteen will be speaking live from this Facebook page.
Speakers at the event argued that it has become increasingly difficult for Pashtuns to live within the current Pakistan controlled Pashtun region, as it has become a “unitary monarchy” that exploits their community. They called for a decisive gathering on October 11, framing it as a court where the Pashtun nation will make critical decisions about their future.
The funeral also saw the presence of Afghan flags, a cultural and political affiliations of the Pashtun community straddling the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. This display, along with the open criticism of the Pakistan Military, indicates a significant shift in public sentiment among Pashtuns.
Since, Punjabi Paki establishment occupied Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1947. It exploited the mineral resources, used terrorism to justify military presence in Pashtun territories, resulting in security checkpoints, military camps, and forced evacuations. Here, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has played a crucial role in mobilizing Pashtuns and raising awareness about their grievances.
The movement’s influence is evident in the growing boldness of protesters, who now openly challenge the Army narratives and label the Pak Army as “the real terrorists.”