PESHAWAR: Provincial president of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Dr Mohammad Ali on Sunday strongly opposed the Provincial Apex Committee’s recent decision to launch military operations in Bannu and Khyber districts.

He expressed these views while addressing a public gathering in Bannu organised in connection with the 51st martyrdom anniversary of Khan Shaheed Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai, a pioneer of Pashtun nationalism and a staunch advocate for the rights of Pashtuns within Pakistan.

“Khan Shaheed’s vision and his ‘Pashtun Question’ offer the only viable framework to address the systemic injustices and challenges faced by the Pashtun people,” he said, according to a statement issued here.

Dr Ali criticised the government’s approach, calling it unjust and counterproductive.

Dr Ali says state should shift focus from military actions to wellbeing of Pashtuns

The gathering was also addressed by the office-bearers of the party, including provincial general secretary Malak Haroon Advocate and Bannu district president Shoab Sadozai.

Dr Ali said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly from regions like North Waziristan, Swat and Tirah, had already suffered beyond measure during the operation Zarb-i-Azb. He claimed that more than eight million people were displaced from their homes, their markets and livelihoods were destroyed, and they were forced to live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under dire conditions in the previous military operations.

“Now, the question arises: if these areas were cleared of terrorists during previous operations, how have they returned? The state must answer this failure, rather than resorting to displacing people once again.”

The PkMAP leader further added: “We categorically reject any decision that involves the forced evacuation of innocent people from their homes. The people of KP should not be harmed in the name of collateral damage, and their rights and dignity must be respected.”

He said that turning Pashtuns into IDPs once again was not a solution – it is a violation of their fundamental rights.

Dr Ali said the lifelong struggle of Khan Shaheed for justice, equality and self-determination continued to inspire Pashtuns. “The solution to Pashtun issues lies in recognising their political and socioeconomic rights, addressing the root causes of instability, and ensuring that their voices are heard at the national level,” Dr Ali emphasised.

He called on the state to shift its focus from military solutions to inclusive, developmental and political approaches that prioritised the well-being of the Pashtun population.

The PkMAP leader reiterated his party’s commitment to standing with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fighting for their rights.

He demanded that the government shelved any plans to ‘forcibly’ displace citizens in the name of military operations, that a transparent inquiry be conducted into the resurgence of terrorism in areas previously declared cleared, and that a long-term plan be developed to address the socioeconomic and security issues of the region, focusing on education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Dr Ali concluded by saying, “The Pashtun people have endured decades of violence, displacement and neglect. It is time for the state to listen to their demands and ensure justice, dignity, and peace for all.”

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024