- Adeela Naureen
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) appears to be following the strategy of chaos, although it is becoming an increasingly failed flop show. The trend visible from the speeches made by the PTM leadership as well as from their social media campaign indicates that it is an agent of chaos. PTM and her social media supporters are pitched against the Government and the state institutions thus trying to create a wedge between people and national institutions. Supporters of the PTM are mostly Afghans settled in KP as well some trolls operating from overseas. These so called ‘activists’ frequently hold secret meetings on their inland and out of country hideouts.
State of Pakistan has so far exercised extreme caution in dealing with PTM. Line of PTM agitation suggests that they want bloodshed to revitalize their narrative which lost its strength after FATA’a merger with KP. PTM constantly provokes state institutions for a physical response .They need to understand that it is the responsibility of the state to protect the life, dignity, economy and other basic rights of its citizens and Pashtuns equally deserve all this. However, spreading Fitna (????) and Intishaar (??????) can never be in the interest of the people of Pashtun belt.
Interestingly, their campaigns are supported by international media outlets like VOA, BBC, Mashaal, Radio Free Europe and Deewa TV. Understandingly, Indian and Afghan media are actively projecting PTM with full force. Welcome accorded to Mohsin Dawar during his recent visit to the US also speaks a lot. He stated that PTM is against Establishment’s Strategic Game in KP and Afghanistan and the moment we stop their strategic game things will settle down. This should leave no doubt that PTM has a foreign sponsored agenda.
Who is supporting PTM?
The so called anti Establishment section of society is finding it an opportune moment to settle scores and vent their resentment, TLP dharna was used by PTM to contrast how state reacts to power pressure. PTM has also tried to replicate this model in Balochistan. Although ANP has suspended the member ship of two dissidents for whatever reasons, they have been staunch supporters of PTM for it allows them to play the game of chaos in KP.
The support to PTM from the SAATH forum, Altaf Hussain and Tag TV run by some Canada based Tahir Aslam Gora is also not surprising, these anti Army forums were precisely constituted to keep targeting the Army, as it gained successes in the long war on terror. The Centre of Gravity during conflict is normally the defence force of that county, and if you attack that Centre of Gravity, you are actually attacking that country, it’s very simple. Husain Haqqani and his sponsored coterie in the SAATH forum has displayed that a nexus exists between Indian Intelligence, so called sub nationalists and ethno- fascists like Sufi Laghari and Dr Taqi as well as PTM, no wonder one of the major part of this flop show of SAATH forum this year was ‘an unequivocal support to PTM’.
The state of Pakistan has already acknowledged and identified genuine demands of the people of conflict affected FATA and action is being taken at priority to address these issues. KP’s massive support to PTI during elections this year should put these chaos generators to rest as Pakistan moves ahead.
Improved security situation in KPK and FATA is in ultimate interest of Pashtuns as well for the Afghan refugees. Pakistan wishes peace in Afghanistan so that Pashtuns community gets a sigh of relief in the war torn Afghanistan and the Afghan Refugees can go back safely. PTM and her foreign sponsors must realize that Afghan landscape is changing; the recent talks in UAE to advance Afghan peace process are setting the trajectory for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. A coalition unity government in Kabul, including all stake holders, and Taliban may be part of this coalition, will usher in a new era of peace. If all calculations come true,we may have such political dispensation in Kabul by mid of 2019,what will happen to PTM support base in Afghanistan? This is a million dollars question. So PTM needs to either join the mainstream of political activity in Pakistan or pack up for good, there is no other way. Post conflict stage is the most difficult challenge for any country and its leadership. Look at Iraq,Libya and even Syria, it will take a long time to regain state control and rebuild the conflict zone. Pakistan with the grace of Allah almighty has done exceedingly well in stabilizing the situation in the conflict zone of FATA and we are in advanced stage of its integration. The Government of Pakistan needs to check these unhealthy trends generated by PTM and help build the old FATA into an area of opportunity, some measures are suggested:
Bashing of Armed forces and Intelligence Agencies has become a common trend, it needs to be checked at all levels, taking help from existing laws and constitutional provisions as well as taking cue from other countries. There is a need to identify foreign linkages and sponsors of PTM and taking legal action as per the law.
