PTM rally in Lahore

LAHORE: Demanding a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ over extrajudicial killing of missing persons, Manzur Pashteen, head of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), stated on Sunday that no power could stop Pashtuns of Pakistan once they got united against oppression.

Addressing a large number of Pashtuns, who had gathered under the banner of PTM at Mochi Gate to raise voice against the alleged oppression being exerted on their community, Pashteen demanded justice in Naqeebullah case and thousands of other Pashtuns, who were victim of extrajudicial killings.

He said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission must be set up, adding that through it, the PTM would also ensure that justice was done to the families of the Army Public School victims.

Announcing a public rally in Karachi on May 12, the PTM leader said they would lodge protest against the media for not properly highlighting the issues of the community. He said the media was showing complete viewpoint of his opponents but not properly presenting the issues that need to be highlighted.

Manzur stated that he and his family was being dubbed as terrorists whereas in reality, he belonged to a family that was very peace-loving. However, he warned that once his community stood up against cruelty, it would not care for his life.

The speakers at the rally including Fanoos Gujjar, Amna Janjua and others also called for recovery of missing persons, whose families had been searching for them for long. The participants of the rally also chanted slogans against the injustice being meted out to Pashtuns.

The PTM leaders said that following the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud in Karachi, the movement made the demand for arrest of Rao Anwar and the people got united over the issue. They alleged that people possessing dual nationalities were suspecting our intentions whereas in reality, we were peaceful people.

Amna Janjua, convener of the Missing Persons Movement, in her address also stated that for years she had been struggling for recovery of her husband, but nothing had been done. She added that she had participated in the event to raise voice for the missing persons.

The PTM public meeting was also attended by a large number of non-Pashtuns and the members of civil society of Pakistan. The public meeting organisers also lodged protest over lack of cooperation by the local administration which allegedly released dirty water to the meeting venue to put it to a halt.

Meanwhile, the head Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) was working on the agenda of anti-Pakistan elements. Addressing a meeting of SIC, Hamid Raza said that there had been Indian funding behind the movement to create instability in Pakistan and to tarnish the image of Pakistan Army.

He said in reality, Pakistan Army had purged Pakistan of extremist elements and rendered remarkable sacrifices. He said why the elements busy in bashing Pakistan Army were keeping mum over terrorism, spread by Afghanistan in this region. He added that Pakistani nation had a strong bond of love with its armed forces which couldn’t be weakened through these conspiracies. He also criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for disrespecting the voters and stated he would receive the answer to his question of ‘Mujhay Kyu Nikala’.