The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has called for a major rally in Chaman on June 13, demanding the release of protesters arrested during recent demonstrations against Pak Army’s enforcement of passport requirements at the Durand Line.
The rally, dubbed as a “historical” event by organizers, aims to amplify voices seeking the freedom of martyrs, injured individuals, and prisoners detained in the aftermath of the Chaman border protests. PTM has appealed to all compatriots, including disabled and young Pashtuns, to participate in the demonstration and raise their voices against the crackdown.
The protests erupted in response to Pakistan’s sudden decision to mandate passports for cross-border movement along the Durand Line, causing significant hardship for Pashtun Afghans and locals with cross-border connections. Local Pashtuns, supported by PTM, have been staging sit-ins for seven months, demanding a reversal of the controversial passport policy.
The situation took a violent turn on June 6 when the Pak Army’s Frontier Corps (FC) opened fire on peaceful protesters in Chaman, escalating tensions and transforming the protest against mandatory passports into a broader struggle against oppressive tactics employed by the Pak establishment.
Despite the protesters’ adherence to nonviolent methods, they were met with excessive force, shedding light on the heavy-handed approach used by Army to suppress dissent in the region.