KHYBER: Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen on Friday expressed concern about a long delay in the return of displaced Kukikhel families to their homes and called for an early resolution of the issue.

Addressing a large gathering at the Kukikhel protest camp in Bhagiyarree area here, the PTM leader said Pakhtuns across the region were victims of the state’s excesses and flawed policies.

He said that the decade-long displacement had caused Kukikhel families huge losses, including destruction of houses and agriculture, while non-locals ruthlessly cut down forests in most parts of Tirah and devastated minerals.

Mr Pashteen wondered why authorities were delaying the return of the remaining IDPs to their homes despite repeatedly claiming to have cleansed the region of militant groups in several military operations.

He insisted that keeping displaced persons away from their homes for a long time and that, too, without any valid reason was a serious violation of human rights.

The PTM leader urged the United Nations and the Supreme Court to take notice of the issue.

He said that the apex court should intervene for the early return of the Kukikhel families, who had been displaced for the last 14 years, to their region.

Mr Pashteen asked the government about the constitutional and legal basis for the prolonged displacement of Kukikhels and complained that those tribal families were living life in hard conditions. He urged all Pashtuns to unite on one platform to raise their voice against those excesses and for their rights.

The PTM chief announced the holding of a “public court” in the Jamrud area here on Oct 21.

“During that event, I will highlight facts and figures about the Pakhtuns who have lost lives in the name of war against terrorism, the natural resources plundered on Pakhtun soil, the Pakhtun lands forcibly occupied by state agencies, and the families displaced from their homes on the pretext of military operations,” he said.

Mr Pashteen urged the people of merged tribal districts, especially those from Khyber tribal district, to attend the Oct 21 gathering in large numbers.

Earlier, the PTM leader was warmly welcomed by Kukikhel tribesmen on arrival at their protest camp in Bhagiyarree despite police roadblocks.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024