Pakhtuns faced worst form of terrorism, says Achakzai

MINGORA: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Sunday asked the federal government to give the Pakhtuns their due rights as they had been badly affected by terrorism.

Addressing a gathering in Kabal tehsil in the Swat district, he said that the Pakhtuns had been victims of terrorisms, therefore, the government should give them their due rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. He criticized the government for the prevailing political situation and said that steps should be taken to protect the rights of the Pakhtuns. He said that the Pakhtuns had rendered matchless sacrifices for the restoration of peace.

Achakzai, who is also head of Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan, said that Pakistan’s progress was linked to upholding the Constitution. He said that the Pakhtuns had the right over their own resources.

This demand, he emphasized, aligned not only with international law but also with Islamic principles. Warning the ruling elite, he stated that bowing before any force other than Allah was against the fundamental tenets of Islam. He declared that the Pakhtuns faced existential threats, and without peace, justice, political autonomy, and rule of law, development could not be achieved.

Achakzai condemned all forms of discrimination based on religion, colour, race, ethnicity, or sect. He claimed that the Pakhtuns had become victims of global political and economic wars. He said that the Pakhtuns were being portrayed as extremists and terrorists, even though they were among the worst affected by these crises.

Achakzai recalled that from Mardan and Charsadda to Swabi and Swat, the region was once a cradle and sacred centre of Buddhist civilization, and Swat was still internationally recognized for religious and traditional tourism. However, due to deteriorating law and order — a consequence of the state’s flawed policies — tourism has been severely impacted, depriving the region and local population of a key source of income and development, he said.

He criticized the ruling elite for taking loans from the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions without informing the public where and how those funds were spent.

He alleged that the 2024 general elections were rigged under a well-devised plan. He claimed that the names of favoured candidates were simply marked and approved. He said that anyone in this country who refused to be bought or spoke of constitutional and parliamentary supremacy was branded a traitor or enemy of the state.

Achakzai announced that after Eid-ul-Adha, a nationwide public movement would be launched under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan, with the goal of “restoring the constitution”.