Days after the federal government designated the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) as a proscribed organization, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced its commitment to rigorously enforcing the ban on the activities of the group led by Manzoor Pashteen.
This announcement followed a warning from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who stated that anyone facilitating the banned organization would face strict consequences.
In a video statement, Barrister Saif, the spokesperson and advisor on information to the KP Chief Minister, confirmed that the federal government issued an official notification banning the PTM under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). He emphasized that the outlawed group engages in activities against the state and the constitution, asserting that they cannot be permitted to hold political gatherings or rallies in the province.
Barrister Saif mentioned that the PTM had planned a gathering in Khyber district, prompting authorities to impose Section 144 to prevent unlawful assemblies. Despite the ban, the group attempted to hold a public gathering yesterday, resulting in clashes between police and supporters, which led to some unfortunate incidents.
He noted that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has urgently called upon elected members from the district to engage with tribal elders and stakeholders to seek a peaceful resolution.
“The provincial government is committed to maintaining law and order,” Saif stressed, adding that it is the government’s duty to ensure the safety of all residents in the province.
It’s important to note that the federal government imposed the ban on the PTM on October 6, citing the group’s activities as detrimental to national peace and security. The notification from the Ministry of Interior stated that the government has reasons to believe the PTM is involved in actions harmful to the country’s stability, resulting in its designation as a proscribed organization under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
