DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pashtun Tahafuz Move­ment (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen, who was arrested by Balochistan police on Monday, was handed over to Dera Ismail Khan police on Tuesday and shifted to an undisclosed location.

Balochistan authorities claimed Mr Pashteen was expelled and handed over in the Darazanda area of D.I. Khan.

The Dera police spokesperson declined to share details.

However, Balochistan’s Information Minister, Jan Achakzai, stated that Mr Pashteen was safely transferred to Dera Ismail Khan police.

HRCP demands impartial inquiry into arrest of PTM chief

Six PTM activists were also detained by D.I. Khan police during a protest against Mr Pashteen’s arrest. They included Ehsanullah, Wahid Aziz, Barkatullah, Hafeez, Hakeemullah and Kaleem­ullah.

Protests also erupted against Mr Pashteen’s arrest in Angor Adda, South Waziristan, and Tank district

On the other hand, Chaman Deputy Commissioner Raja Athar Abbas said the arrest was in connection with the alleged gunfire and a ban on Mr Pashteen’s entry into Balochistan.

However, the PTM had alleged that law enforcement agencies fired at Mr Pashteen’s vehicle when he was on his way from Chaman to Turbat.

In a statement, Mr Achakzai said Mr Pashteen had been expelled from Balochistan after the arrest and handed over to D.I. Khan police, according to a Dawn.com report.

The minister refuted the PTM’s claims of firing on Mr Pashteen, alleging that the latter’s bodyguard had opened fire in front of the Chaman Press Club, in which a woman and a child were injured.

Mr Achakzai stated there is growing demand from Balochistan’s youth and civil society to ban PTM. He mentioned that through various channels, including social media, people are labeling PTM as a terrorist organisation.

Yesterday, Mr Achakzai had also called the PTM “an anti-Pakistan organisation”.

“The provincial government is closely monitoring the situation and will take strict action if necessary, Mr Achakzai said, highlighting that despite a ban on his entry, Mr Pashteen entered Balochistan and participated in protests in Chaman.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was “alarmed” at Pashteen’s arrest.

It said it was “clear PTM’s leaders and supporters have been harassed continuously for what the state erroneously deems ‘anti-state’ activities”.

“Indeed, the PTM has never resorted to violence and has merely exercised its right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. HRCP demands an impartial inquiry into Pashteen’s arrest. The state must also cease its unwarranted antagonism against the movement’s leaders. Their legitimate grievances must be heard fairly,” it said.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023