The Pashtun Tahafuz (Protection) Movement (PTM) has reported a series of police raids and arrests targeting its leaders and members across Pakistan ahead of a curial jirga (people's assembly) on October 1 in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Sherzadeh Maseed, a PTM leader in the region’s South Waziristan district, said police detained several key activists, including Alamzeb Mahsud, known for his work on enforced disappearances. PTM leaders were beaten and arrested in other similar raids in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the southern seaport city of Karachi, PTM leader Nurullah Tareen said eight members were arrested on terrorism charges following a September 27 meeting to organize the curial jirga. On October 2 and 3, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police again raided the PTM’s jirga site near Peshawar, the provincial capital. It allegedly burned tents and used tear gas. PTM leaders accuse the government of trying to disrupt the event. Provincial authorities said the action against the PTM was ordered by the federal government. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, click here.
Authorities Crack Down On Pakistani Rights Group Ahead Of People's Assembly
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement activists collect empty tear gas cannisters on October 2, the day after a police raid on their jirga camp.