The brazen murder of Umar Sherani Murkai, a member of the National Democratic Movement’s (NDM) provincial organizing committee, has once again exposed the Pakistan Army’s relentless campaign of terror against those who dare to speak up for Pashtun rights. Manzoor Ahmed Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), visited Sherani’s home to express his grief and solidarity with the family. Sherani, a political activist known for his outspoken advocacy for Pashtun rights, was gunned down in cold blood just days ago in Dera Ismail Khan.
The PTM’s struggle against the heavy-handed and often brutal tactics of the Paki establishment has only intensified as the movement plans a significant national gathering on October 11. The PTM has been a vocal critic of the militarization of Waziristan through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, and its condemnation of the occupied-govt’s inhumane policies has made it a prime target for Pak Army-sponsored violence.
The Pakistan Army’s systematic campaign of intimidation, abductions, and extrajudicial killings of activists is a clear violation of human rights and international law. This brutal crackdown not only reflects the Army’s long-standing disregard for the rule of law but also highlights its failure to respect the fundamental rights of the Pashtun people. Since the Army’s forceful occupation of the region in 1947, it has consistently trampled on the rights of the local population, using any means necessary to maintain its grip on power.