In a disturbing continuation of repression, former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and prominent leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Ali Wazir, has been arrested once again, shortly after his release from Adiala Jail. This latest arrest follows a pattern of unlawful detentions that have characterized the Paki establishment’s attempts to silence dissenting voices within the Pashtun community.
Ali Wazir was taken into custody by Punjab police and individuals in plain clothes as he exited the jail. He was transferred to an undisclosed location by the police and plainclothes personnel.
Ali Wazir was arrested again just after being released from Adiala Jail, where he had spent two months. According to local police, Ali Wazir has been transferred to Jhelum District in Punjab. The Deputy Commissioner of Jhelum District has placed Ali Wazir under detention for 15 days under Section 3 of the MPO.
Ali Wazir was initially arrested on 3 August following an accident in Islamabad. Although he managed to secure bail in three separate cases, he was subsequently arrested twice under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance.
The illegal detention of Wazir is emblematic of the occupied-state’s overarching policy of repression, aimed at quelling political consciousness and public resistance. By continuously targeting courageous leaders like Wazir, the occupied-authorities reveal their unconstitutional character and their fear of growing dissent among the Pashtun populations.
The timing of Wazir’s recent arrest raises significant concerns, as it aligns with a broader effort to suppress opposition ahead of a planned Pashtun National Court event scheduled for October 11. Authorities appear increasingly anxious about the rising influence of nationalist movements, which pose a challenge to the military’s long-held dominance in the region.
Ali Wazir’s repeated arrests serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing persecution faced by the PTM and its supporters. His situation highlights the severe risks that ordinary Pashtuns encounter when a prominent leader is victimized by the occupied-state.