Manzoor Pashteen, The chief of Pashtoon Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), has been arrested by local police in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The arrest was carried on Friday morning when Pashteen was on his way to attend a sit-in in Jani Khel, Bannu.
Mohsin Dawar, MNA of South Waziristan, told the media that Pashteen has been arrested by police in Kohat. PTM activists Bilal Pakhtun, Idrees Pashteen, and Zohaib were also reportedly taken into custody.
A police spokesman confirmed the arrest and said he was not aware of the details at the moment. The spokesman said there were no details yet on whether Manzoor Pashteen had been arrested in an old case or whether the arrest was made as a result of a new case.
A sit-in is being held in the Jani Khel area against the alleged murder of a local man. According to the reports, Manzoor was also on his way to attend the sit-in when he was stopped by police and later arrested. The arrested by carried out by Khushalgarh Bridge police before Pashteen could reach the sit-in.
PTM leader and National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar said that speaking up for one’s rights is not a crime. Mohsin Dawar also demanded the release of Manzoor Pashteen and other PTM workers.
“Utterly shameful how Manzoor Pashteen has been arrested to try and stop him from joining sit in underway in Jani. Dissent or demanding rights is not a crime,” he added.
Scenes of the arrest have also surfaced on social media. In a video, Manzoor Pashtun can be seen talking to a police officer who asks him to stop for 15 minutes. Police also say that his arrest was temporary and he will be released shortly.
The PTM chief in response objects to his seizing and claims that he was arrested for demanding his rights and is stopped in his way of doing so.
“Release Manzoor Pashteen” hashtag has started circulating on Twitter as many party members and social activists are expressing concern over Pashteen and other PTM workers’ arrest.
Punjab President of Left-wing Awami Workers Party (AWP), Ammar Rashid condemned the arrest on Twitter stating; “regime’s assault on civil and political freedoms is worsening by the day and will silence all of us if we do not speak out against these rising excesses.”a
Earlier this year, Pashteen was arrested on January 27 from Peshawar and sent to Central Jail of the city on a 14-day judicial remand by a magistrate. A total of eight cases were registered against him in DI Khan and Tank districts. After many rejected bail pleas, Pashteen was released from jail on Feb 25th.
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