Swat Valley demanded public referendum against Pakistan Army’s terrorism, oppression and tyranny and the Pakistani regime’s colonialism across Pashtunistan. Swat Valley was protesting against Rawalpindi’s military operations conducted across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the name of peace. Pashtuns were out in the streets on Friday against Pakistani regime’s violence, enforced disappearances and targeted killings of innocent and unarmed Pashtuns across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. That the Swat Valley is demanding referendum against oppressive Pakistani regime is indicative of the fact that unease and discontent is deep within the Pashtun psyche.
“This war may be a game of power, plunder, and earning dollars for them, but for us, it is a matter of life and death. That is why the Pashtun nation’s resistance is the path of truth and justice,” said the Pashtuns of Swat Valley in a social media post. Pakistani regime used massive force to disrupt peaceful Pashtun protests and demonstrations (Aman Pasoon) held across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on August 1. The police acting on direct instructions of GHQ Rawalpindi lathi charged local PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) leaders at Bannu and arrested dozens of protestors. Over the last fortnight there have been reports of killings at Bannu, Bajaur, Tirah Valley and other areas in Waziristan. And all these killings by the Pakistani soldiers have been unprovoked.