Fazal Ur Rehman Afridi Speaks Out on Pashtun Protests Against Pakistan’s Visa Rules
Geneva [Switzerland], June 29: Fazal Ur Rehman Afridi, the Executive Director of the Khyber Institute and a representative of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Europe, has voiced concerns over the ongoing protests by Pashtuns against Pakistan’s strict visa regulations. Afridi, who is attending the 56th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, claims these regulations violate international law and harm the social, economic, and financial well-being of the Pashtun people.
“For the last 8 months, the Pashtuns have been protesting against the strict visa regulations of the government of Pakistan, which is in violation of international law. The people living in the vicinity, in the border areas, and especially along the controversial Durand Line, have families, businesses, and social connections on both sides,” Afridi said. He emphasized that these restrictions severely impact the Pashtun community.
Afridi also highlighted the violent responses from the Pakistani government and military towards peaceful protests. He stated, “For the last month, the Pashtuns have been protesting and have organised a sit-in in Chaman. But instead of listening to the grievances of Pashtun people, especially the PTM, the Pakistani government and its military are attacking the protesters and citizens. They have systematically attacked the sit-in several times and recently killed a 15-year-old boy. More than 200 Pashtun leaders have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani military forces. Over 100 were injured.”
Last year, Pakistan enforced a rule that only those with valid passports and visas could cross the Chaman border, disrupting the lives of locals who previously used identity cards. This change has led to protests at the Friendship Gate, the border crossing between Chaman and Spin-Boldak.
Afridi accused the Pakistani military of extrajudicial killings and targeting civilians under the guise of operations against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Al Qaeda. He urged the international community, especially the United Nations, to protect the fundamental rights of the Pashtun people.
“Over 200,000 houses of Pashtuns have been destroyed, 25,000 shops have been demolished, and 80,000 Pashtuns have been killed in the Army operation called Zarb-e-Azb,” Afridi stated. He also mentioned that the Pakistan Army has joined hands with TTP and resettled their families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to further suffering for the Pashtuns.
Afridi called for international attention to the plight of the Pashtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, and Kashmiris, urging the global community to intervene and protect these ethnic minorities from human rights violations.
