Pakistan Government Bans Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Over Security Concerns
The Pakistan government has officially banned the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), citing security concerns, according to a notification from the Interior Ministry. The government stated that the PTM poses a serious threat to national peace and security, claiming that the movement is involved in spreading anti-national narratives and inciting unrest across the country.
The ban is effective immediately, marking a decisive action by the government against the movement. The PTM, initially established as the Mahsud Tahafuz Movement in 2014, began as an initiative by eight students in Dera Ismail Khan. Their primary aim was to clear landmines from the war-torn areas of Waziristan and other parts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
However, the movement gained national attention in January 2018 when it launched a justice campaign following the extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud by police officer Rao Anwar in Karachi. Since then, the PTM has grown in influence, with its leaders voicing concerns over human rights violations in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Key Details of the PTM Ban
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Reason for Ban | PTM poses a threat to national security, spreads unrest |
Founding of PTM | Established in 2014 by students to remove landmines |
Rise to Prominence | Gained attention in 2018 after Naqeebullah Mehsud’s killing |
Government Action | Ban effective immediately, per Interior Ministry |
This ban represents the government’s attempt to address rising tensions associated with PTM, although it may also raise questions about freedom of expression and political dissent in the country.