Daily Times

A ten day long sit in by Pashtun youth from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and other parts of the country ended the day before after the government gave assurances about acting on the demands made by the protestors. Manzoor Peshteen, a young leader from Waziristan had organised this movement.The recent extra judicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud by Karachi police, triggered a historic and much wider mobilisation that was joined in by thousands. Despite the virtual mainstream media blackout, large numbers of sympathisers – across party, ethnic and class lines – remained active for days.

The organisers have insisted that this is a temporary halt and that the resistance would continue if the government, especially its military branch, would not implement their promises. The key demands include punishment of Rao Anwar, the infamous encounter specialist from Karachi, clearing of landmines, recovering missing persons and such other unfortunate policies of the past that have aggravated the marginalization and vulnerability of the Pashtuns especially those who live in FATA.

Unlike the past mobilisations, this was a youth-based, spontaneous outburst of anger and resistance and not driven by partisan agenda of political parties. This is why the government must not take this episode lightly. The anger and outrage may have subsided but it is real and will only grow if the state continues with its flawed policies.

Four urgent measures need to be taken. First, fast-tracking the FATA mainstreaming project that has been stalled for a variety of reasons. Leadership by the PM and Army Chief can take that forward. Second, the numerous policy measures that make FATA residents suspect in the eyes of the mainstream need to end. Third, the landmines issue is serious and has to be urgently addressed by the military after due investigation and weighing in of options. Finally, and most immediate is the arrest and trial of Rao Anwar who is hiding somewhere. It will not be unreasonable to assess that state and its intelligence networks can find out where the man is. It is time to prosecute him and end the heinous practice of killing people on the streets.  This is also a reminder of police and judicial reform – an agenda that Pakistan’s political elites have conveniently ignored for way too long.

Young Pashtuns have reminded us all of the daily injustices which have been normalised in contemporary Pakistan. *

Published in Daily Times, February 12^th 2018.