Lahore: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday openly condemned the proscribed Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) after reports of violence surfaced ahead of the Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga slated to be held in the Khyber district. “The federation is ready to discuss rights-related matters if done properly,” said Naqvi.
The federal government banned the PTM
Officially on Sunday citing threats to national peace and security. Subsequently, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government warned the public against any association with the three-day Pashtoon Qaumi Jirga, also called Pashtun Qaumi Adalat, being held by the PTM. Against this backdrop, the district authorities, including Khyber Deputy Commissioner (retired Captain) Sanaullah Khan, imposed Section 144 in the district as banning large gatherings for 30 days in a bid to maintain public order.
Undaunted by the government’s ban, PTM activists
Began assembling at the venue in Jamrud on Sunday evening with a vow to go ahead with their plans. Naqvi said this in a press conference held in Islamabad, further clarifying the government stance and reiterating how, although jirgas are part of culture and do occur, the scale and nature of the event was different that it became more of an organised court, which is something the government cannot allow.
Naqvi said the PTM’s rhetoric,
Which he described as sharply divisive, especially against state institutions and police, had prompted the decision to impose a ban. He opposed ethnic divisions under the banner of political discourse, adding that while discussions on rights are laudable, instigating the nation against its institutions would not be acceptable.
He admitted that many of the leaders of the country’s major political parties had initially joined ranks with the PTM on the issue, but they withdrew their position when the PTM began to promote armed struggle. He reiterated that the federation was ready to talk to those who support the cause of human rights but within the legal context.
Balancing this, the KP government placed 54 PTM
Men on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Balochistan added 34 names to this list. Individuals on the Fourth Schedule have very stringent restrictions and are prohibited from traveling, their passports and bank accounts are frozen, and arms licenses are canceled.
Naqvi said foreign elements,
Which were supported and funded from abroad, were producing and broadcasting videos of the PTM footages; it was a proof of foreign interference. He said any attempt to trigger factional or armed rebellion would be addressed immediately by the government.
Peshawar High Court Interfers to Halt PTM Jirga
A related development is a Wednesday stay order issued by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to prevent PTM from holding its jirga on a contested piece of land in Khyber district. The court has also passed an order on a petition filed by local resident Khateer Ullah by asking law enforcement agencies to make adequate arrangements for the law and order situation. “The bench comprising of Justice Attiq Shah and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah adjourned the case until October 15”.
The petitioner argued that constitutional amalgamation of the tribal districts in the province of KP made the establishment of a separate national court unconstitutional. Until a final decision is rendered, held the court, no gathering by the PTM would be allowed on the disputed land.
This has added another dimension to an already charged scenario, as the PTM leadership refuses to step down, claiming its right to host a jirga against mounting legal and governmental onslaughts.
