Pashtun Justice Jirga Begins in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Pashtun Justice Tribal Jirga started on Saturday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, after a one-day delay. Thousands of people from across Pakistan gathered to discuss the challenges faced by the Pashtun community. Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), expressed the community’s frustration with ongoing discrimination and violence.
The Jirga, initially set for October 11, was postponed due to police intervention. It will last three days, focusing on issues like killings, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests affecting Pashtuns, one of Pakistan’s largest ethnic minorities. The event follows a recent violent attack in Balochistan.
Manzoor Pashteen emphasized the commitment of Pashtun leaders and political parties to find solutions. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, sent a delegation to participate, highlighting security and rights as key topics.
Amnesty International criticized Pakistan for hindering the peaceful assembly and labeling PTM as a terrorist organization. Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, condemned the suppression of dissenting groups through force and media bans.
Doubts Revealed
Pashtun -: Pashtuns are an ethnic group mainly found in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have their own language and culture.
Jirga -: A Jirga is a traditional assembly of leaders that makes decisions by consensus and resolves disputes among the Pashtun people.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan, located in the northwestern part of the country.
Manzoor Pashteen -: Manzoor Pashteen is a leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, which advocates for the rights and protection of Pashtuns.
Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement -: The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) is a social movement in Pakistan that seeks to protect the rights of Pashtuns and address issues like discrimination and violence against them.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman -: Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a Pakistani politician and leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, a political party in Pakistan.
Amnesty International -: Amnesty International is a global organization that works to protect human rights and fight against injustices around the world.