Prominent Pakistani human rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari was detained in Islamabad on August 20, purportedly in connection with a speech she delivered two days earlier in which she sharply criticized the military. In addition, the authorities arrested Ali Wazir, the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), who also spoke at the rally on August 18. Police broke into Mazari’s house in the early morning hours and took her away, supporters said. The PTM, which was founded in 2018, represents the country’s 35 million ethnic Pashtuns and has criticized the military for the alleged disappearances of civilians. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal, click here.
Pakistan Arrests Prominent Rights Activist, Pashtun Leader
A video grab from a Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) rally in Islamabad on August 18