AWP condemns arrest of Manzoor Pashteen

Press release

The Awami Workers Party (AWP) condemns in the strongest words the arrest of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen and four others.

“This is a violation of the fundamental rights of Pakistan’s citizens enshrined in the constitution to struggle for their rights through peacefull means and right to assemble.

In a statement, AWP President Yousuf Mustikhan said this kind of highhandedness will not deter people from peaceful struggle and resistance against state repression and terrorism.

PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen was reportedly arrested early Monday morning by Peshawar Police near Tehkal Bala village.

Police also arrested nine other PTM workers who were identified as Muhammad Salam, Abdul Hameed, Idrees, Bilal, Mohib, Sajjadul Hassan, Aimal, Farooq, and Muhammad Salman.

Police will present Pashteen before a judicial magistrate for his transitory remand, he added.

The AWP leader said that the sedition case filed against PTM chief at the City police station in DI Khan is absurd.

“It’s an irony of the fact that those who trample the constitution and suspend fundamental rights remain scot-free while those who demand their constitutional fundamental rights through peaceful means are arrested under trumped-up charges and put behind bars.

This is an attempt to push the peaceful movement to the wall which has been demanding the demining of the former tribal areas, freedom of movement and an end to the practices of extrajudicial killings enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions.

The AWP demands the immediate release of Manzoor Pashteen and his comrades.

The AWP condemns the military highhandedness in Balochistan, KP’s tribal districts and in Gilgit-Baltistan in the name of operation against terrorists.

He demanded an immediate end to military operations in the two provinces and the release of Manzoor Pashteen and other activists.