Pashtun Tahafuz Movement denounces emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as political rights violation
The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has issued a statement strongly condemning the merger of 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the provincial centre and the imposition of governor’s rule alongside a state of emergency. The movement described such decisions as a blatant violation of the political, national and democratic rights of Pashtuns, warning that the plan amounts to a systematic programme for the colonisation of the region.
According to the statement, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement rejects any form of direct military rule and is calling for the immediate cancellation of the state of emergency and governor’s rule declared in the province. The movement is also demanding an end to parallel administrative structures, a halt to military operations and an end to the forced displacement of residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These developments indicate an intensification of the political crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which could have major negative consequences for the human rights situation and local peace. Although the Taliban administration has so far issued no official response to these criticisms, the continuation of these policies has raised broad concern among Pashtuns and human rights activists.
