–Manzoor Pashteen urges Pashtun political leaders to unite to end sufferings of the community
The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) held a public gathering in Bannu on Sunday and vowed to seek the support of all Pashtun leaders in its struggle for the rights of the ethnic group.
The rally — addressed by PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen, North and South Waziristan lawmakers Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar in addition to other leaders of the rights-based group– was attended by a large number of supporters from both Waziristans, Peshawar and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing the rally, Pashteen announced the formation of a jirga to convince the Pashtun leaders to join the PTM to strengthen its cause and jointly fight for the rights of the community. “We want the unity of Pashtuns,” said Manzoor Pashteen while addressing the gathering.
He urged the Pashtun political elite to unite, saying that the community has been suffering for a long time. Pashteen added that they were not opposing any political party or Pakhtun leader.
“We want peace and justice, but unfortunately, new waves of targeted killings have been seen in the former tribal belt and justice is not being served,” Pashteen said, adding that PTM leaders’ resolve to fight for their rights has only gotten stronger.
He added that PTM is a civil movement, not a political party, and will continue to struggle for the rights of Pakhtuns.
“I assure you, PTM will always stand by you in any difficult time,” Pashteen told the gathering.
MNAs Dawar and Wazir also addressed the gathering.
“Today’s big gathering proves that PTM is alive and has strong roots among Pakhtuns,” Dawar said, adding that the movement “will never stop”.
Thank u people of Bannu for defying this cold weather as well as the tactics of our cold hearted State. #PashtunLongMarch2Bannu proved that things such as football & Kabadi r far lower on ur list of priorities than justice for target killings, missing persons & #KharQamarMassacre pic.twitter.com/UKzC0gTpU3
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) January 12, 2020
PTM will hold a public gathering in Balochistan in February on Loni’s death anniversary.
