Today, thousands of peaceful protesters gathered in Battagram in a show of solidarity with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who are grappling with a severe wave of terrorism.
The demonstration, marked by the participation of prominent figures such as PTM leader Ali Wazir, lawyers, doctors, local leaders, and members of civil society, emphasized a singular and powerful message: peace.
The keynote speaker, Ali Wazir, underscored the urgent need for stability in the region, reiterating that the Pashtun are demanding their rights within the framework of the constitution.
He expressed deep concern that despite these legitimate demands, the state continues to marginalize them.
“Pashtun lands are abundant in natural resources, including minerals, forests, water, oil, gas, electricity, and tobacco,” he stated. “We are legally entitled to the net profits from these resources, yet we remain deprived of them.”
He further highlighted the pervasive insecurity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noting that no place is safe from violence—not mosques, schools, bazaars, or Hujras.
This, he argued, constitutes a violation of Article 9 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and liberty.
“The state’s primary responsibility is to ensure our safety and stability, yet it has failed to do so,” he added.
Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad has expressed grave concerns over the plight of families in the Pashtun belt, stating that thousands have fallen victim to terrorism.
He highlighted that numerous individuals have been forcibly disappeared, and many have lost their lives in extrajudicial killings.
He criticized the state’s inaction, accusing it of turning a blind eye to the violence and failing to provide adequate protection to the Pashtun.
